Although I'm thankful my kids are all over 18 at this point, of course they threw tantrums growing up when they would not get their way. As a parent, you need to stand your ground, put up the medieval equivalent to a chain mail, and watch. Some children will throw fits that jeopardize their safety...you need to interfere against any long lasting bodily harm. But other than that, let them go.

The most embarrassing, though not the worst, tantrum I experienced was at discharge from my daughter's kindergarten class. Just imagine, a bunch of friendly moms, some who I was actual friends with, waiting around for kindergarten to be dismissed. I had a younger sibling in a running stroller waiting for my precious to be discharged. There was a substitute that day, and my kindergartner had acted up. While I was waiting for this sub to explain, my lovely daughter proceeded to melt into the Ugly Witch of the West, kicking the side of the school, furious with me at that point because I had deposited her craft of the day into her back pack for the journey home and not in the correct way. I apologized to the substitute teacher, who was clearly upset by not understanding my kid at all and approached my child carefully, mindful that this was an out of control 5 year old.

Me: "OK Honey, I think I have all your stuff, we need to walk home now."

As an aside, there still was the bulk of the parents standing around watching the fireworks my daughter was generating.

Darling Daughter: NO! I DON'T WANT TO WALK HOME! I WANT A RIDE!

Me: That isn't possible, as I did not bring the car, so we will have to walk.

Darling Daughter repeats her stance.

Me: Well, since I don't have a car, you will need to ask one of these other nice mommies for a ride, because we have to walk home.

With a heaving kindergartner standing in the middle of the sidewalk, I slowly started to make my way up the hill towards our house less than a mile away. She watched me leave her standing there and reluctantly followed with most of her gear in tow. I got halfway up the hill and said, "You must be so embarrassed to throw such a fit in front of all those people." (I do think shaming does have its uses, if doled out sparingly)

Darling Daughter hiccupped and said, "Yes."

I just let her stew in that position, then starting asking her about her day with emphasis on what went well. No other action needed to take place. She never did anything like this again.

Thank you for all your help.

Jennifer