You have probably heard the child screaming in the local Wal-Mart and thought to yourself that you would never allow yourself to be caught in such a mess. You knew exactly how to handle the situation if that was your kid screaming and throwing a tantrum. You may have even wondered to yourself what was wrong with the parent for not knowing what to do. Oh, the blissfulness of not being a parent. Now that you are one though, you are suddenly faced with the realization that you do not know it all and that you do need some advice.
Do not worry though as many new parents find themselves in this situation. It is one thing to know what you would do before you become a parent, but once you are actually one you suddenly have a different perspective. What does a person do to properly handle a child throwing a tantrum? Even the best parents in the world will never be able to figure out how to get a child to never have a tantrum. While you can minimize how many they have, the tantrum is bound to happen at one point or another and it will probably come at the worst and most embarrassing moment for you. It just seems to work that way.
The best thing to do is to ignore the tantrum. While that may be perplexing to some people, ignoring the tantrum is the best thing that you can do for yourself and for the child. Even though people are going to give their dirty looks and make their snide remarks about how you should "do something", just keep in mind that you are doing something. You are remaining in control and not allowing the child to get his or her way or upset your day.
No matter where you are, at home or in a public place, find a private area where your child is safe from harm. Place your child in that spot and allow him or her to scream it out until they calm down. Even though it may not feel like it, your child will give up and calm down. If you punish, yell, spank, or do anything else other then remaining calm you are playing into the game. Your child wins when they are able to control your actions.
If you are in a public place, you will probably have no other choice then to take your child to the car where he or she can be strapped in. Stand beside the car or close by and allow the child to scream it out. At home, you will be able to put the child in the playpen or in his or her room. Make sure that you walk away and then come back once the child is calm. Explain that the behavior is not okay and that he or she will not get what is wanted by throwing such tantrums.
Now that you have an idea of what to do, try it out the next time your child throws a fit. Each and every time you follow through on your end, you will see that the length of time the tantrum goes on for will decrease. Eventually, they will stop all together.