i think this is a very normal situation for parents to face and that there is no judgment in struggling to know how to behave.  i think in this case, the easiest thing to do is to excuse yourself so you can have privacy with your child while you both calm down.  it's really hard to parent in public and if your little one is very young, you need some time on your own to figure out how you want to deal with it without the pressure of people watching you.  i think it's awesome that you are looking for another way---minti has tons of articles on this topic.

chill out, it's called a flip parents are entitled to a few for all the bad stuff they have to put up with lol. smile already!! yas total normal like. here is what i did.... rhiannon took to biting when she wanted attention, after trying every trick in the book, i took the pain and ignored her just got up and walked away not done or said anything no reaction whatsoever, got some nice little bite marks on my leg from it but after i did that a couple of times she stoped doing it. probably figured there was no point anymore. just a thought if you are up for it. ::)'s

Don't be hard on yourself. You let your emotions get the best of you. As you mentioned, your daughter was laughing so she got over it fast. Just stay firm with what is acceptable and what isn't. If she acts up, take her firmly and go home. She'll see on your face that fun time is over because she didn't listen to you.

I got news for you...abuse can be physical or emotional...so whether you smack your kids or not, you still have to be cautious of what you say to them too. What a fun job, being a good Mom, huh? If only we can get paid for this job.  You have to watch what you say and hold back on the physical punishment...what does that leave you with? You probably think a mess...but I don't think so. My daughter is hearing this "Sorry, babe...but rules are rules." And I'm sure she HATES it, but it is what it is. No negotiations. No wiggle room. You behave or you don't get to have funtime. My daughter loves me, and when I'm upset, she'll do anything to see I'm not upset again. So I bank on my facial reaction and words like "Mommy is very upset" "Mommy doesn't like when you do that", etc.

No means no. That's what my Mom says. If they do it again, you take them from their happiness and explain why they can't have what they want. If you have to forfeit a good time with your friends, then you do. It's not forever, it's just this period of time.

If they cry, don't feel bad...it's just their way of getting you to feel bad and GIVE IN. Just let them cry and get through it. It's better than hitting, crying and seeing them do it again...honestly, it will turn into a game for the child. They'll get numb to the smack, so you hit harder...then they get numb to that, so you find a wooden spoon...then a belt...then a chain...who knows what object will keep them in line, but now look where you are and look where the anger's gotten you? That's why I hope you (and others in the same predicament) can get good help from those that have alternatives to hitting.

Hang in there. It's not easy. You can do this.

I dont agree with smacking but then in that situation id have done the same thing, my son has often lashed out and i cringe just thinking about it, having a lip bar im always sure he'll rip it or something he hasnt but it hurts... instinct tells me to catch his flying arm or tap it out of the way, so you see we all do it ....its nt like you pasted your child, forget those looks that you gt because I doubt your child will be doing the same again whilst there driven up the wall and lash out in anger your childs leart his/her lesson in one go.

hugs jo xxx

here we go again I'm going to upset a lot of ppl but ohh well. i smack my kids if mine had pinched me i also would have slapped her arm.. i don't abuse my kids in any way but i belive they need to be smacked.. my dad smacked me when i wa sa kid.  i am so sick of pple trlling us we can't smack our kids i know alot of you are not going to agree with  me.  this is my opinion and i am intitteled to it .. don;t frrl bad about what u did the child needs to learn that this behavour is not allowed.. thanks georgie

A simple firm "pinching is not allowed, use your words", (wrong behavior, corrective action) clearly state "time out for pinching, pinching is wrong" determined by age, ignor her crys for attention and if she moves from timeout spot, replace her without any emotion, timeout starts again. Time out over, ask for appology, make sure she knows what was inappropriate, "I love you and hug" and let go of any lingering feeling Mom....very important that same procedure is followed through with any time for same behavior.

Mommy should not ever be hurt as you are the backbone of t he family.

Hi there,

Please don't be so hard on yourself . . . Nobody is perfect in this world and WE ALL make mistakes . . A good mum will make some mistakes but then she will move on and learn from them . . You obviously are a good mum because you are looking for ways to help and move on . . . CONGRATS . .

AS for what to do . ..  I am going through the exact same thing myself with my 22 month old girl so I know just how annoying and frustrating it can be . . . .

I pretty much agree with Ravenheart BUT I don't agree with walking away . . DEAL WITH IT THERE AND THEN . . Nest time your daughter pinches you stop whatever you are doing immediately, gently grab hold of your daughter and get down on your knees to her level . . Maintain eye contact and in a very stern voice tell her NO and then tell her that its not nice and she shouldn't do it . .  Then get back up and continue what you were doing . .

If your daughter pinches you again repeat what you have already done but this time make her sit on the floor etc with you for a bit longer . . . Each time she pinches you speak a little harder and make her sit still a little longer . .

I know how hard it is but eventually she will get the idea . .  My daughter has a stubborn streak a mile wide and is really testing us BUT I am stubborn too (gee, i wonder where she got her stubborness from) and she is just beginning to realise that mummy is more stubborn than her . .

By the way, whenever I punish my daughter I always finish with a well done when she behaves and a huge cuddles . ..

Cheers Kellz

Perfect advice by Ravenheart it is exactly what I would do.  Just remember that when she tries to push your buttons not to react back in the same way I know it's easier said than done especially if you're feeling depressed or stressed it is even harder then to react in a calm and controlled manner, but you will always feel better in yourself if you react calm and controlled.   Try not to let what other people think affect your actions I know a lot of people don't like to tell their children off in public for fear of what others may think of them.  You are doing this for the benefit of yourself and your child and for no one else, so therefore no one else matters.    And every other parent who has ever been in this sort of situation will give you their full support so you can count me in.  Good luck and take care xxxx

Dont b so hard on your self, next time it happens grab her arm firmly, walk her away from everyone or of to somewhere quiet if possible then get down the her level and tell her in a firm voice that its not nice to hurt people specially people you love, tell her u love her but you dont love the behaviour and if it happens again you will go home.

you need to follow thru with it to, i would leave where we are and take my child home to the time out chair. i know its not alway possible to just leave but u usually only have to do it once for ur child to take u seriously.

good luck

xoxoxoxo