Wouldn’t it be nice if all children behaved like perfect little angels when they went out in public? Unfortunately for many parents, most children will misbehave in public somewhere along the way. Some children do this frequently, and others just on occasion, but either way, it can be difficult to know how to handle a misbehaving child when you feel like all eyes are on you. There are ways to handle it that will minimize the attention drawn to your situation, and that is the main goal.
One of the most common ways that children misbehave in public is to throw temper tantrums. They may cry, scream, and some children may even get violent and start hitting or kicking. Obviously, this behavior is not to be tolerated, nor is it to be given in to. The problem with giving in, is that while it may stop the behavior in this one instance, it sets a precedent so that anytime they want something, they will throw a temper tantrum to get it. In other words, you’re setting it up to happen over and over again. The best way to handle a temper tantrum is to find a quiet place, away from other people’s eyes and ears, and just let them finish their tantrum. When your children know that they are not getting extra attention from their tantrums, they will often stop.
Another common problem that parents have with children in public is that their children have a tendency to run off. This can actually become a danger if the child gets lost. It can also be really a problem for other people in the vicinity, as they are constantly having to watch out for these children who have run from their parents. Depending on the age of your child, there are a few ways to handle this. If they are toddlers, it is time to either buy a child leash, or to enforce hand-holding so that they cannot run off without your knowledge. If they are a little bit older, it is time to talk to them about strangers, and that they need to stay close to you so that they don’t get lost or hurt. If they continue the behavior after you have told them not to, it may be time to cut the trip short.
The above are examples of how to handle the misbehavior when it happens. However, prevention is actually the best cure for this type of behavior. Make sure that your child is well fed and well rested before leaving. Also make sure that you lay down the rules before leaving, so that they understand what you expect of them. If you can prevent misbehavior it is best, but since that is not always possible, at least you will know how to handle it.
