5 Toddler Tantrums That Make Moms Want to Scream

on January 19, 2012 at 2:01 PM

Sharie Manon, star of Glam Fairy, recently had a really bad mommy moment. TMZ caught up with her on the street and started asking her about celebrities whose hair she'd like to do. She got out Justin Bieber ... then the whining started.

Her toddler daughter, Emerson, was with her, and she clearly wasn't up for the interview. The reporter kept going despite her protests, but things don't end pretty. It was tantrum city. Watch for yourself:

As uncomfortable as it was to watch, Sharie appeared pretty calm in what's always a humiliating experience -- public temper tantrums. Public tantrums captured on film to be shared all over the web have got to be even worse.

But that's what toddlers do. They throw tantrums and usually do so at the worst possible times. Here are five inevitable and infuriating times toddlers have tantrums:

1. In front of your mother-in-law.

You know she'll never think you're doing everything right, and this just proves it. You can hear her tsk-ing to her bridge club already.

2. When you least expect it.

One minute you're skipping along, holding hands, singing songs in your heart about the beauty of motherhood, and the next he's on his stomach pounding on the grass. "Why?" you ask. The answer: "Becauuuuuuuuuuuse it's greeeeeeeeeen. I don't like green grass!!!!!!"

3. When you're in a hurry.

Lunches packed, backpacks ready, shoes on, and you have one minute to spare to get out the door. Then just as you go to pat yourself on the back, down goes the toddler on her back screaming and ripping off the shoes you just put on her feet because she's NOT going to school today. Students with toddler siblings should get an extra allotment of tardy days.

4. In the grocery store.

Why is it ALWAYS the grocery store?

5. Just when you think she's outgrown that stage.

Of course, you should never utter the words "she's in a good place" out loud, because you know that's just asking for trouble. But even thinking to yourself, Wow, she's really learning to express herself with words instead of throwing herself in the middle of the floor and shrieking like a stuck pig, pretty much guarantees regression. To be on the safe side, just assume those tantrums will last at least until your kid graduates from high school. Even then, be careful.

When are the most frustrating times your toddlers throw tantrums?

Image via Citril/Flickr

About the author Julie Ryan Evans

can be found writing from coffee houses wherever she may be. The quality of her days is largely influenced by the seat she nabs and whether a protein plate is available.

Filed Under: a mom's life, toddler development, tantrums

Comments (15)

ReadingIsSexy27

on Jan 19, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Oh these are all so true. Also, tantrums in front of anyone who gives tons of unwanted advice. My 2 year old rarely has tantrums, but the few she has had have been record setters. I know how best to deal with her tantrums but the worst was when she had one in front of my very large, mainly female, family. I had literally dozens of people trying to push their advice on me. Some said to let her go, some said to give in to whatever she wanted, someone said to take her to the emergency room because she must have something wrong with her if she was crying and screaming that loud. They made the WHOLE tantrum worse, completely frustrating me and overwhelming my shy daughter with the unwanted attention.

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randhferedinos

on Jan 19, 2012 at 2:43 PM

My kids don't throw tantrums. But I have seen some amazing displays by my nieces for the most ridiculous reasons. :)

Melissa042807

on Jan 19, 2012 at 3:03 PM

Any time. But y'know, I know my kid, and I know what will quell his tantrums the fastest. So I keep my cool and try not to let it fluster me. If we can, we remove him from any audience. Usually a moment to let him get over his feelings and a stern talking-to nips the problem in the bud. The vast majority of kids throw tantrums. Or job as parents is to not lose our cool as we deal with it, and to know what works best to deal with the tantrum and move on with life.

If I'm going to be honest, though, the WORST is when he throws tantrums in front of my mother-in-law. She does the concerned pursed-lips look, like he shouldn't be throwing tantrums in the first place. Puh-leez. He's TWO. But she keeps her mouth shut. She knows interfering with our parenting will get her in trouble from my father-in-law. God bless that man. I don't know what we'd do without him.

Lebelle93

on Jan 19, 2012 at 3:29 PM

UGH. My son just started those. He couldnt have the febreeze bottle and boosh. Threw himself into a chair. And since then he does the same thing ever since. But on an open floor. Which I completely ignore.

smtxcowgirl

on Jan 19, 2012 at 4:38 PM

That's so rude. Everyone knows you don't disturb celebrities when they're with their family. Kid probably just wanted some uninterrupted mommy time and got pissed when someone she didn't even know started talking to her mom.

Lulu425

on Jan 19, 2012 at 5:03 PM

@ReadingIsSexy "They made the WHOLE tantrum worse, completely frustrating me and overwhelming my shy daughter with the unwanted attention."

If your shy daughter didn't want attention, she shouldn't throw a tantrum in front of people.

Nonmember comment from lisa ritchie

on Jan 19, 2012 at 6:13 PM

@Lulu425
Seriously? Did you really write that if her 2 year old shy child did not want the unwanted attention then she should not have a tantrum? She's 2 and has yet to develop the reasoning skills involved in understanding that a tantrum in front of a group of people will garner unwanted attention. How would you explain or expect your 2 year old to be able to have the cognitive ability to rationally decide "oh wait I get it. If I have a tantrum now people will see me versus being able to rationally understand that now is not the time for a tantrum because of all of the people around me". You must have a genius for a child for having the reasoning skills and cogitive ability to rationally decise the best time for a tantrum.

MemphisSuzi

on Jan 21, 2012 at 9:53 AM

I truly love when people say "my kids dont have tantrums" PLEASE give me a break! A tantrum doesnt have to be some full blown kicking and screaming ordeal but if they have cried because they didnt get their way, they didnt throw something, kick something, and generally act like...like, well a toddler...then you are either WAY to indulgent of a parent or in a coma.

Happypancake

on Jan 21, 2012 at 11:28 AM

Tantrums are a healthy release of emotions that children don't otherwise know how to communicate using words.

When my child feels the need to release, I make sure he knows I'm there for him and tell him I love him.

Public or not, if people want to judge that's their problem, not my child's.