The battle

And so it begins; the battle of wits, the grand test of resolve. The situation that most if not a large selection of parents have encountered with their children. The ill fated public tantrum. As with many parents in the Western hemisphere the  large majority will have taken their little ones to the city centre or local supermarket. The child goes because they are a child and have no choice in the matter. Parent says jump and if the child is capable - then they jump. Mummy or daddy says, "It's time for bed!" and although there may be some disgruntled protestations you had better believe that little Billy Bob is going to bed!

So, why is it that at one point there is that indelible occasion when the once zealously compliant child transforms itself from an adorable little cupcake into a temperamental, troublesome brat hell bent on testing their parents rightful authority at every opportunity? 

Let us examine a common scenario: The mother or father is in a crowded shopping centre and their child has finally had enough of walking around, going into shops demanding whatever it fancies to constantly be told, 'no!' or a distinctly unconvincing, 'Maybe... if you're good.'  The word no, and the additional dubious statement have seriously begun to irritate the child. It's had enough now, its parent is taking it for a fool. And anyway - what if it doesn't feel like being good! Frustration and tiredness have slowly but surely simmered within the little body and mind of the munchkin until finally it snaps and throws an almighty cataclysmic tantrum! The type that reverberates throughout the complex. Yes, right there in public. Screaming and shouting, contorting its body into all sorts of peculiar shapes. In short, being extremely petulant and as a result royally embarrassing their bewildered parent in the process. 

Now this is when the parent has to think on their toes - and think fast. Public tantrums are an altogether different kettle of fish than to ones thrown at home (behind closed doors). A haven where a parent can instantly open a can of firm, unrelenting discipline on the little brat until the concussed child starts identifying swirling stars or tweety birds. However, in public for as much as the parent would dearly love to forcefully deal with their child they know that there are preying eyes, waiting, watching people eager to judge and see how this parent will deal with the misbehaving blighter. 

Tactic number one: The parent employs the sheepish, soft, cajoling voice (through clenched teeth) of, "Get up, love  - we have to go."  To which the kid flatly retorts: "I'm not going anywhere!!"(Expletives optional, dependant on the level of the child's social upbringing) as it continues to lie on the ground as though it is stuck with some sort of industrial blue tac.

What now? The parent has begun to feel terribly flummoxed at their child's unpleasant behaviour and asks (pleads) again, nicely,  to be instantly slapped by another sharp poisonous response from a child who seems to have been possessed by something quite unsavoury. 

This kid is not going to budge. And the parent had better realise that. So... Does the parent just grab the child up from the floor and frog march away whilst rebuking it for its outburst of acrimonious behaviour. Well, that's an option - but remember, people are watching, waiting, making exaggerated mental notes. Waiting for something, anything questionable to happen for them to munch on. We live in an age where there are a million and one books on 'correct' parenting etiquette and a plethora of new wave ideas on how to raise children. One hasty false move from this flustered parent and social services will be all over them like fake tan due to receiving an  anonymous phone call from a busybody who didn't quite agree with their particular style of parenting. 

By now the child's lungs are like a scorching furnace as it continues to scream and hiss its bloodshot eyes out whilst being welded to the floor. The exasperated parent is irked, panicking, frantically thinking of how to handle the situation. Time to implement tactic number two: Smash the emergency  psychology glass and inform the child that they will leave it there. Yes, they will go home without the misbehaving weasel.

Now this is when things become very interesting. The parent knows full well that they wouldn't dream of leaving their beloved child alone in public. But, on this occasion the threat has to be strong and utterly convincing as to shock the child into getting up. The parent is now braking out the big guns. The child on the other hand has no concept of psychology and its many layers let alone  pronounce the word - and if it were to even attempt to it would probably sound as though it had a debilitating speech impediment. This potentially risky statement from the parent, however, has now caught its attention.  Will mummy or daddy actually leave this spoilt child alone and go home?! Is this huge (exhausting) tantrum really worth being abandoned, with no parents. To then be taken pity upon and subsequently raised by a pack of wolves. The kid contemplates this very real prospect for a few seconds whilst screaming and then decides categorically that perhaps it's not in its best interests to be left alone, this stark realisation forces it to become instantly fearful - as it jumps up (tears drying up completely) and runs to accompany its relieved parent who is slowly walking away whilst looking back, hoping, praying that their child will fall for the ploy (which it does) as they both leave the busy complex together. 

Demola, TCC