Tantrums in Public

Penny Davis explains:

• Tantrums occur mostly in public when leaving enjoyable places.
• The child rarely tantrums at home or around familiar teachers and friends.
• Power struggles can escalate, especially in urban or safety-sensitive areas.
• Current strategies like talking about alternatives and drawing "angry pictures" have limited effect in the heat of the moment.

• Offer limited choices to give the child some control, e.g., “Would you like to get into the car by yourself calmly, or hold my hand until safely in?”
• Ask for the child’s help in tasks, e.g., carrying items to the car or choosing the next errand.
• Validate feelings by acknowledging anger or disappointment instead of trying to fix them immediately.
• Maintain consistency with chosen strategies; avoid frequently changing approaches.
• Decide on your approach, follow through with kindness and firmness, and adapt based on your child’s temperament.