How do you say No************************** About This Page:

[kimdisneynut]

How do you say no to your child in a store when he/she wants something and you know when you say no, the walls are going to crack. DS wants everything and when I say no, you would think I pulled his hair or something. What do you do in public?

[Teddysmom]

I do one of two things depending on the level of the tantrum. Level one-crying, whining, pleading--I just ignore it. Sorry about anyone who has ever had to stand in line behind us during a level one tantrum [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] but I am not giving in to every whim, they just get larger.

Now a level two tantrum-complete flipping out, screaming, throwing himself on floor--This one takes patience and time but I leave the store. I had to leave our local grocery 9/10ths of the way done with my weeks shopping one time. Since instituting these policies his in store behavior has gotten better. I promise 1 small treat of his choosing if he behaves all the way through the store. Now leaving your stuff is a good idea only if you have the time to reshop later. This initially makes more work but in time the kids realize you are serious about what you will and will not buy. Hope this stuff helps. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[disnyfan]

My plan of action is similiar to Michele's but I also make sure they know prior to going into the store that they will NOT be getting anything. Alot of times I avoid the toy aisle or go through a non-candy aisle at the grocery store this usually nips it at the bud. This usually works for my 4 year old but my 2 year old needs more convincing.

[kimdisneynut]

Thanks a million.

[DVC_Don]

Ditto on the leaving the store. You have to be prepared to follow through. It took 2 times of walking out, leaving and going home. That seems like another life ago. They are 10 & 11 now.

[Ursunique2001]

Maybe I was just blessed, or maybe my son just knew he'd better not test me that way...but he never actually threw a tantrum on me in a store. I always told him that wherever you embarass me at that's where I'll embarass you at. So a few times I had to grab hold of him, but as for the kicking, screaming, and throwing himself on the floor.....thank God he never tested me that way.

One thing I always did with my son was to let him know before we go in the store that we are not shopping for toys, etc for him today and I stuck to it. He would ask, he would beg and sometimes I would be tempted to go ahead and get it but I stuck to my guns. I think this helped in the later years because it taught him that whining, crying, etc. does not get him what he wants.