NP I understand where you are coming from - I have had some absolute shockers at the shops with my 2 and 4 year old. It is not easy to stay calm in those situations at all, especially when soothing and explanations just don't cut it! You just cannot reason with an unreasonable person, and toddlers are definitely not reasonable! I just have to remind myself when we have an "episode" that it will pass, and going off my head will probably not help the situation. Generally these days I just avoid going to the shops with all 3 kids if I can.
I'm so glad I've been reading this thread. As someone who has yet to have any children I probably am a little quick to judge parents with tantruming kids (though I don't ever give them nasty looks, and I do feel sorry for them), but reading this has opened my eyes somewhat - that will likely be me one day!
Yesterday at the shops I got into a lift with a woman with two children, one in a stroller about 2, and one little boy walking with her who was about 3.5 I guess. He wanted to push the buttons (fair enough!) but wouldn't listen to mum and kept pushing the level we were on so we weren't going anywhere. I actually thought that mum kept her cool really well and eventually she just pushed the right button, didn't tell him off or anything. Well he just lost it! He kept crying "SHUT UP MUMMY, SHUT UP MUMMY". I felt so sorry for her, and when she looked at my belly, I said "I've got so much to look forward to, hey?". She smiled and we had a little chat, and I felt better that I hadn't thought anything bad about her.
So well done to all you mums who take your kids out and about - I can't wait!
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