One dad's unusual reaction to his toddler's epic supermarket tantrum
"I try to remember to make sure my daughter knows it's OK that she feels deeply"
Name us one parent whose toddler hasn’t thrown a wobbly of epic proportions in the middle of a packed supermarket. We dare you!
For most of us, we think it’s fair to say it’s happened at least once... and for some of us, it can be a tad mortifying when everyone turns to look as your little one drops to the ground and really lets off some steam ?
Dad Justin Baldoni, an actor from LA, refused to be embarrassed when his daughter embarked upon the-paddy-from-hell in his local Whole Foods supermarket.
Instead, he got someone to capture the moment on camera, and took to Instagram to say he's learned to embrace the chaos.
Here’s what he wrote:
"Emily [his wife] took this in Whole Foods. It's now one of my favourite photos ever of me and my dad.
"2 men, standing together in silence, forever bonded by an unconditional love for both each other and this brand new, raw and pure soul who we would both go to the ends of the earth for.
"I can only imagine how many times I did this when I was her age. My dad taught me so much about what it means to be a man, but this post is about one thing and one thing only.
"Being comfortable in the uncomfortable. Something I grew up watching him do with me over and over again. There are no perfect parents, but one thing my dad taught me is to not parent based on what anyone else thinks.
"My dad always let me feel what I needed to feel, even if it was in public and embarrassing. I don't remember him ever saying "You're embarrassing me!" or "Don't cry!”
"It wasn't until recently that I realised how paramount that was for my own emotional development. Our children are learning and processing so much information and they don't know what to do with all of these new feelings that come up.
"I try to remember to make sure my daughter knows it's OK that she feels deeply.
"It's not embarrassing to me when she throw tantrums in the grocery store, or screams on a plane. I'm her dad…not yours.
"Let's not be embarrassed for our children. It doesn't reflect on you.”
No more needed to be said, except that the team here at MFM HQ are full of admiration for Justin’s serene reaction to the situation!
Have your say
We’re not sure we’d be able to remain quite as chill and together as Justin did in the face of such a tantrum, but each to their own, right?
We’d love to know how you respond to a public meltdown from your toddler… what's your tantrum-taming style? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook ?
Images: Instagram/Justin Baldoni
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