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“I want that!!!!!”
Avoiding tantrums while shopping
It’s so common. Your child wants something he/she sees at the store and you say “no”. Then the temper tantrum begins. Some parents shop in the middle of the night just to avoid these scenes. Instead of midnight shopping, try involving your child in the shopping process.
- Using a list, go over the items you will buy at the store. Tell your child that anything not on the list won’t be purchased.
- Discuss the items you will be buying that interest your child and let him/her help find those.
- Talk with your child about how he/she will react if you must say no to buying something he/she asks for.
- Be clear about what you will do if the child misbehaves. Leave the store immediately if a tantrum begins.
This will not stop all temper tantrums but it’s a step in the right direction. Children need to be guided toward acceptable behavior and the best time to do this is not while the child is displaying unacceptable behavior, but before they are put in a situation that they may not know how to handle. Always discuss the “what ifs” with your child.
