How to Handle a Screaming Child

When it comes to parenting, few things are more humiliating than trying to handle a screaming child in public. All eyes are on you, and you have to try to keep your cool while diffusing the situation. Once you learn the basics of handling a screaming child, you will become better at it every time. Here are some tricks to keeping your child in check when the pressure is on.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Keep your cool. When you're dealing with a screaming child, it's easy to get flustered. Keeping your cool will show your child that you're in charge and won't be easily swayed by a temper tantrum. Avoid yelling or screaming, as this will likely make the situation worse and just reinforces the behavior.

2. Figure out what the problem is. Small children are still learning how to communicate, so it may just be a problem of getting their message across. Stop, get down on his level and ask him quietly what the problem is. It may be something easily fixable, like hunger or a lost toy.

3. Be firm. Sometimes handling a screaming child is a battle of wills. She doesn't want to leave the pizza palace, and you have to go pick up her sister from school. You can't give in, so don't even try. Tell the child that you know that she's upset, but this is way things have to be.

4. Remove yourself from the situation. If your child is screaming for attention, remove yourself from the situation. Make sure that he's safe and won't be in harm's way, then just take a few steps back to give him time to cool off and regroup.