General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Okay, no spanking. I get that but what's this dad suppose to do? [View all]Avalux
(35,015 posts)There isn't anything worse than a parent who is stressed out, then takes it out on their child. Then think about why your child acted this way - she is 'normally' allowed to eat on the coffee table. She didn't understand why she couldn't on this particular night, and of course, wanted to eat on the coffee table! If it were me (and I've raised 3 daughters on my own without spanking), I would have told her if she ate at the other table, it would be fun. Then do something to make it fun. This isn't 'giving' in, it's finding a positive way to reach a resolution without crying, shouting, or spanking. Or, you could have simply cleared some space for her to eat at the coffee table, since after all, you have established and trained her to think it is HER eating table. You did that.
I just re-read you post, and it could be the tantrum thrower was jealous of your wife and her older sibling sharing time together on her eating table. But she's too young to articulate that so she screams. Eating together as a family where you can all spend time together, even if only for 15 minutes might be helpful.
We always need to remember that we are the adults, and our children learn by example. We need to raise our children through positive actions so that they will when they grow up they will too.