Anonymous wrote:So many variables here. Toddlers don't throw tantrums for the fun of it. What is the cause:
sensory overload
too many people
hot
hungry
tired

My toddler for sure throws a tantrum for sport.

So many variables here. Toddlers don't throw tantrums for the fun of it. What is the cause:
sensory overload
too many people
hot
hungry
tired

Depends. Most often I leave the place and sit with her in the car until she calms down. If I can't get to the car, I try to find a more secluded spot in the park or wherever (once in a mall restroom!) to try to get her to calm down. If we haven't actually made it out yet, then I'll just stay home. 2 was really bad for us with tantrums. Now at 3, she still has tantrums but can usually be reasoned with or she's tired/hungry and we can figure out how to fix that. Hang in there.

I would give the kid apple juice, especially cold apple juice. I would repeat what they are saying, that I hear and understand that kid does not want to go to the park. I would just be with them. If they calm down enough and start looking around while I hold him, then something fun about the park might spark interest. It is possible I have a teething kid on my hands and nothing will work except Tylenol, which I probably forgot to pack. Possibility of bailing, but not a certainty.

If you know they’ll get over it in a few minutes, just wait it out. But if your toddler is just not interested is something that purportedly is for their enjoyment, then no one’s getting value from it so why bother staying?

I used to work at a theme park as a teenager and tatrums were super common. I could always tell there was this frustration in some parents because you've come all this way and spent all this money and lid is freaking out. But that's not uncommon, their cycle is busted, they're tired, the stress and anticipation is a lot. But those parents often ended up with a more upset kid.

I don't think you need to 100% leave, just remove them for a bit.

Anonymous wrote:We leave the area and go back to the car. Once the tantrum is over, we go back to what we were doing.

+1

This sounds right

Planned ignoring. Google it.

Depends on if I can guess what the tantrum was about. Is the child hungry, thirsty, tired, overstimulated, etc.? Usually I can fix the root problem, distract, and move on.

We leave the area and go back to the car. Once the tantrum is over, we go back to what we were doing.

I make them work through the trantrum first. We don't leave because of a tantrum because it's rewarding behavior, like you said. Sometimes that just means ignoring the tantrum and pointing out something like an acorn, to refocus their attention.

It's so hard to know what to do with toddlers. If it's something I knew DD would really enjoy and she was just having a bad moment, I'd probably try to divert her immediate attention to get through the tantrum so we could get to the good bit. I try to remember she's not acting that way to get at me personally and I shouldn't take it personally (I am the first to admit sometimes I fail in assuming that attitude, though). But I think of it as being kind of like when I get super grumpy and fussy and DH says "I think we need to get you a snack" and then once I've had that I shape right up.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it's too hot to be at the park? Hot kids can get cranky.

"the park" is just a place holder. What do you do when packing up and leaving is exactly what they're demanding, is the fundamental question.

Maybe it's too hot to be at the park? Hot kids can get cranky.

If your 2 year old launches into a tantrum about being somewhere they usually enjoy (and that you, the parent, derive little enjoyment from because it's so f-ing hot out) do you just bring them right home (which in a way is giving in to the demand that they are currently yelling--they don't WANT to go to the park) or do you force them to stay because you know they'll get over it in a few minutes and have a fine time/you want them to burn off energy.