Screaming Toddler at Restaurant? Here’s What to Do

Parents of screaming toddlers at restaurants may find their role model in Melissa and Jason Wistehuff from Morehead City. An anonymous diner surprisingly paid for their bill at Seafood House because the couple handled their crying kid graciously.

Speaking with Yahoo, Melissa shared that while waiting for their order, their 2-year-old son, Ian, started getting impatient. The restaurant was jam-packed and no one was immediately available to serve them. The couple tried to have Ian's attention diverted to coloring but to no avail. After few seconds, Ian was already throwing a fit.

Speaking with Baby Center, Claire Kopp of California's Claremont Graduate University explained that toddlers have their meltdown because they are frustrated. Usually, toddlers become upset for not being able to express what they want and feel.

"Toddlers are beginning to understand a lot more of the words they hear, yet their ability to produce language is so limited," she said.

Psychologist Ray Levy, PhD, has the same explanation. Children, ages 1 to 4, have yet to develop their good coping skills, including their speaking ability.

"For children between 1 and 2, tantrums often stem from trying to communicate a need -- more milk, a diaper change, that toy over there, but not having the language skills to do it. They get frustrated when you don't respond to what they're 'saying' and throw a fit," Levy explained in an article posted via Parents website.

Parents, whose toddlers suddenly throw tantrums in a public place, should be prepared to leave with their kids until they calm down, Kopp said. This was exactly what Melissa did with Ian.

At a point when other diners started staring at them, Melissa carried Ian out of the restaurant. She entertained him by walking across the street. When Ian was tempered down, they went back to the restaurant just in time for their order.

Ian finished off his food. However, as soon as he took the last bite, he started fidgeting again. Jason took him outside this time.

When the couple finally asked for their bill, the waiter said someone had already paid for it. According to the waiter, an anonymous diner admired how they courteously handled Ian's tantrum. The couple does not need to leave a tip either because that too was already taken care of by another diner.

Melissa and Jason said that eating outside with young kids in tow is very challenging. But their experience at Seafood House has completely changed their ordeal, at least for that particular night.