TOP TIPS TO HANDLE PUBLIC MELTDOWNS EFFECTIVELY

Written by Liza John 

A million reasons, ranging from tiredness to the presence of another person, can set off a meltdown in the middle of the grocery store or a wedding. When your child lies on the ground trashing and shrieking, the onlookers wait around to see how you handle the situation. All these eyes put a lot of pressure on you and you end up managing the crisis ineffectively. 

Besides, in scenarios where you know that the surrounding people are going to judge for your parenting techniques, there is a high tendency to give in to the child’s desire and please them into silence. This may yield instantaneous benefits but harms your child in the long run. 

#1 Pros of Prevention 

The best way to handle a meltdown is to prevent one in the first place. Try to understand the reasons triggering these showdowns. Often, children with ADHD, learning disorders, or social anxiety throw tantrums more than the other children. Determining a reason like this behind their meltdown can help you mitigate them. 

On a side note, make sure that your child is well-rested and fed before you take them along while running errands or visiting family. When the child is tired or hungry, they feel more on edge and are likely to have an outburst. Ensuring that they have a toy or a snack to keep them occupied can also reduce the chance of a public tantrum. 

#2 Distraction to The Rescue 

Another effective way to handle a public meltdown is by distracting the child. With their attention being easily divertible, children can change the focus from one object to another in a matter of seconds.  

Wisely utilize this characteristic to call your child’s attention to something else that interests them when you detect signs of an oncoming tantrum. Show them their favourite book, make a silly face, or tell them a joke to keep the shrieks and tears away.   

#3 Clear Communication 

Oftentimes, adults believe that children are incapable of understanding things and deciding everything for them is the best way to go but this is not the case. Communicating clearly with children has a significant effect on how they behave. It has been seen that kids take to making a scene when they are not able to put their needs and feelings into words.  

When the adults engage with them effectively, they are able to learn how to use their words better. This comes in handy when the child has something bothering them in the public. Thus, they can use their words to convey their distress instead of resorting to yelling or kicking.  

#4 Expectations and Rewards 

Generally, children tend to throw a tantrum in public because the activity is not stimulating enough for them, or they are not receiving the attention that they are used to. This is why religious services or visiting old relatives come with the great price of waiting for your child to erupt into tears.  

Prepare them for such activities by telling them about their importance. Also, let them know about the expectations of behaviour you have for them. The offer of a reward — candies or a later bedtime — will further influence their behaviour.  

#5 Delaying the Meltdown 

The oldest trick in the book is riding out the storm and while this can be effective, the ruckus it causes is unbearable. Modifying this trick, letting your child know that they are not getting their way no matter what can work like a charm, albeit a noisy one. A downside of this technique is that, if you give in to the child’s demand once you lose your patience, your child will believe that making more nuisances can get them what they want. We do not want that. At all.  

Another trick to managing a temperamental child in the public is to ignore the tantrum until the child is tired or to flee the scene with your child to a more private place. While these are not the best ways to manage meltdowns, sometimes, a problem delayed is a problem solved. 

Final Thoughts 

No matter what, do not panic when you have come to a stalemate with your child’s temper in the public. Keep your wits about to avert the crisis. At the same time, do not yell at a child having a meltdown. Be the calm role model that they can imitate in times of distress. Most importantly, sit with your child after a meltdown and guide them through processing it well.