Terrible Two Goes Public!

Sounds like you're on the right track. The only thing I'd add, which I found out to be important with my own son, is to communicate your expectations before going in the public situation each time until he gets a good habit going. Maybe even make- up a little book - "When we go __________, I will act ___________. I will _________ when moma _________. I will hold on to the cart. (and so on with the details of how you want him to act) When I do this it makes moma happy. It makes me happy.
If I act _______(negatively), then I have to ____________(whatever consequence you've decided on).
This makes me sad. It makes moma sad.
I will choose to act nice.

HOpe this helps.
N.

Only a few words of advice can and will cure this:

Catch him when he's being good and ignore the bad behavior.

Be ready to leave if you are in public on a moments notice but give no attention to it. Simply pick him up and go to the car and leave. Or just go into another room if you are at home. He has learned that you give him most attention when he is bad. Try the opposite! I just did this with my 2 year old and had the very best weekend ever!!!

ya know, i forgot about this phase! my baby is 9 mo. my next oldest is 10, i haven't done this for a while. i do believe you're doing the right thing so my advice is .... keep up the good work! God bless the mothers of two year olds... and teenagers!

He is becoming more independent and also may be testing you to see what you will do. As long as you are consistent and say what you mean, it will turn out a lot better. Children want that consistency. You can also talk to him before you go anywhere and tell him what kind of behavior you expect. That way he knows if he acts up you will leave.

Kudos to you for actually leaving when he is throwing the tantrum! I know it stinks to have to leave early but I think that it sends him the right message. I always hate to hear a Mom say if you don't stop we will leave 5 times and never leave! So I think you are doing things the right way. He is just testing his limits and if you continually let him know what they are then he will change his behavior! GOOD LUCK:)

Stop him where he stands. Where he show's out....you need to correct him there. I use to go to the restroom & call myself taking care of him BUT as soon as we got back out in public.. yes he did do it again....so I had enough & let him have it right where we stood, do you know he had the nerve to be embarrased? It's safe to say he didn't it anymore...I could've kicked myself for not doing it sooner. Good luck & God Bless!

There were times (and are still times) when my daughter will start a public fit and if we're at WalMart, I just put her in the front of the cart and ignore her. I go about my business, pushing the cart and pretend she's not screaming or crying. She stops very quickly when she's not getting the attention. She also knows that if she starts that, then in the FRONT of the cart she goes, or if she wanders off or will not stay with me. On occasion, I will let her scream her fit out in the van if my husband is with me. I just leave him in the store to finish up with my other daughter and I take little one to the van and she hates that she can't be with Daddy and sister shopping.
I will be sad when she outgrows the cart though (which is happening very soon), because it surely helps when you need to get things done and she's in the mood to sprawl out on the floor.
Good luck, I have one that is a public screamer and one that isn't. I think ignoring has helped us out more than anything else. Some kids get bored and use the screaming and fits to get their parents to leave the store. My nephew did that and when his mom refused to leave, he stopped having the fits.

I like the responses so far...the only thing I can think to add is to make sure he is rested and fed before going out. My son would get overstimulated with situations, add tired and/or hungry on top of it, he'd melt down! I thought my family and friends would never see his true self! He'll be 4 next month and is definitely much better...so there is hope!