How do you handle these situations with your 2.5 y.o.?

Sunflower777

I'm starting to not want to do fun things for my DS because he has such a hard time when it's time to quit. At the apple orchard, we let him do a pony ride, and he had a meltdown when it was time to get off. At a baseball game, we let him ride the carousel, and of course, same thing - meltdown when it was over.?

?We went to the outlet mall today, and I let him ride one of those ride-on toys for 50 cents, and he wouldn't get off it, and another little boy was waiting for a turn.?

?I know it's totally normal 2 y.o. behavior, but I'm just not sure how to deal with the ensuing meltdown. I try distraction, but usually the only thing that works in that department is food, and I'm leery to make a habit of that.?

Any suggestions? ?

xbrooklyngrl

I don't make a big deal, I don't let her do it again, and again and again. I explain that its over and we went on it already and have to give other people a turn.

All you can do is try and let them throw their fit, they'll get over it.

shouldbeworkin

I give a warning first ... in 5 minutes we will be leaving.  then a 1 minute warning and then we leave.  I've also let him know that if he has a fit about it, we are leaving for good.  Sometimes it helps to say that it is someone else's turn and he will get a turn next.  But, sometimes we just have to leave and I know we'll have a tantrum, so I wait to do whatever it is will cause the tantrum until we're about to leave anyway.  It gets better as they get older and you can reason with them.  Oh, and suckers usually help, too!

Angela814

We just let her have her tantrum and explain that we have to take turns.

true_norskie

It is a rare occasion that we easily remove her from a fun situation without tears or a meltdown.  I give her fair warning beforehand (giving 5 minute warning, 2 minute warning, 1 minute warning) but that helps minimally, if at all.

 

I start talking about the next thing we are going to do and put a fun spin on it.  Like last week we left the park and I tried to make dinner sound like fun.  I also try to make her feel like she has a choice in the next "activity."  I'd ask her if she wanted an apple or a banana with her dinner (form of distraction).

 

Also, I can gauge that her meltdowns are at their worst when she's hungry so giving her a healthy snack (usually something like string cheese) calms her down.

 

I usually just drag her away screaming and crying and let it pass, talking about how I know it is hard to be done with that fun activity, but that it was time either for someone else to have a turn or for us to move on.

VivaAmore

Those circumstances usual end with bribes, not just for food but balloons, bubbles, stickers, etc. if she can continue through the day controlling her emotional outbursts. I know she's just a child and that these outbursts are totally normal, but I also feel that it's my job to teach her that the good times eventually end and that if she acts appropriately, she'll be rewarded and more likely to be able to enjoy them more often.

amw80

Yes, we have similiar issues when leaving. I think it depends on the kid. I have talked with moms before and asked here and some don't see it as a big deal. I'm like, you don't know my kid. It is a big deal, especially when I have another child.

 Lillian gets hysterical sometimes when we have to leave places. Like she will try to run away or throw herself on the floor, mostly just screaming. It's not all the time and I think it's getting better.

Usually, I just try to explain as calmly as I can that we need to get home to do x,y, and z and maybe we will come back. I hold her hand or just pick her up if she buckles her knees.

I, do have to resort to bribery sometimes with a snack or even say "let's go call pop pop" or "get a pretzel" or " watch dora" whatever. Sometimes that works. If we are out, I will ask if she wants to carry my keys or bag (whatever I have). It's hit or miss.

I think it will get better as they get more mature. But, I get what you are saying. It's hard!

FeatherFire

Have you tried explaining the order of events to him ahead of time, and giving him a warning??

?

When my DD gets animal crackers as a treat she will get real upset when she runs out, so we've taken to making a big deal with the last 2 crackers, I give her 1 and I show her the last 1 and say LAST 1 and then as I give her the last 1 I say ALL Done - really emphatically. I've had some luck doing the same thing at the playground - as she goes to the slide I say LAST Time and then she gets to go 1 more time and I say all done before she goes down.

?That really only works for situations where there are turns - we still have meltdowns on the swings for example, for those I'm still trying to work something out, I'm having some success with telling her that we're going to swing ?first, then slide, then read - so we can go from the swing to the slide, which distracts her, and then she knows that we're going to read a quick story in the car or at home once we finish the slide.?

shellbug79

I typically try to redirect her attention to get the tantrum to stop.  If the tantrum is really bad sometimes there is bribary involved.  I try to explain but at 2 I don't think she really understands.

Michelle