I would have left the groceries there in the store and carried the screaming kid out of the store. He would not have gotten that candy he was screaming for in this lifetime.
no kidding.
the thing is that you should never allow a kid to get to that point.
the only reason he acted like that is because he had recieved confidence from acting like this prior.
Exactly- kids don't act like that unless they've been led to believe that their parents are more bothered about being embarrassed than they are about not giving in to tantrums. You can't blame the kids really- they've just learned the most effective way to get what they want from their parents.
each of my daughters tried this at one time. i began by simply reminding them that we will be home, and away from others view, sometime.
my oldest didn't seem to care, so i gave her a little pinch under the arm.
she cried bloody murder and wouldn't let it go. so i raised my voice.
a lady that was close to us decided to butt in.....what a mistake!
she said, "she's only a little kid."
i said, "who the hell are you, you bitter old hag. let's compare our kids 20 years from now. i will bring my daughter to the jail where your kid calls home."
i can be a little blunt when angry.
You seem to be lost in your own thoughts.