A meltdown knows no boundaries. One can crop up anytime, anywhere. It doesn't matter if you're in public or at home. If this happens to your family, Pediatrician Dr. Joe Matusic says, the helpful hints you get from ABC's the "Supernanny", can help... and the key is communication.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD/ Pediatrician
You want to teach them that throwing a fit is not an effective way communicating because it's not an effective way in adulthood either.

Fighting over a toy? Screaming for a cookie? No matter what the real problem is, Dr. Matusic says if you put your foot down, make sure it stays firm.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD
If you choose to pick that battle, you need to win that battle 100 percent of the time. Or else you just taught the child that all they have to do is throw a bigger and bigger fit.

Don't let the problem escalate, just keep calm, walk away.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD
One thing you can do is, if you're in a public situation, and you don't feel corporal punishment is appropriate at the time, is simply, leave. Leave. Just take the child and leave and show them that you are not going to get your way for this.

If tantrums persist, you can always try and shoot the "mom" look or count to a certain number, and let them know you expect cooperation by that set number. If you choose time out to reprimand a child for a tantrum or other inappropriate behavior, Dr. Matusic says generally the rule is one minute for every year of age.
If the tantrums are definitely something you can't handle, bring up the subject with your doctor.

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