For LDS folk, guilt and kids at church...?

My 3 year old has super temper tantrums sometimes and had one during Pres. Hinkley's talk during conference yesterday. I took her out of the chapel, and went to the nearest room I could find and hollered at her (nothing bad). I had HAD IT with her attitude and I let my anger get the better of me. When I left the room I realized that the congregation could hear EVERY WORD that I said. I'm mortified, embarrassed and feel so terrible. What can I do to let people know I'm ashamed of my anger and feel terrible? I know I ruined the spirit of the meeting.

Don't worry about it. I think EVERY SINGLE person understands that sometimes you just can't help it.

Pray to have a spiritual moment with your child this month, and come fast and testimony meeting, you can relate your attitude towards a learning experience.

I'm sure people will forget, and probably aren't thinking of it as much as you are. I can totally understand when parents just can't hold their temper. I don't have kids of my own yet, but we have little children in our ward who sound just like your daughter. I've never thought about it that much when it's happened.

Think of it as a learning experience and a time to repent for losing control. I hope you have a spiritual moment, I would love to hear your testimony about what you've learned or what sort of experience you've had this month with your daughter.

Public apology to your kid. You shouldn't yell.

why would you ever expect a 3-year old to behave in a conference? that is making them be something they are not. you should apologize to your daughter and leave her at home next time.

I think everyone understands---think back to Sacrament Meetings--there are always kids running up and down the aisles and parents speaking a little to loudly to be quiet. I would just not worry about it.....parents understand that kids are obnoxious sometimes, it doesn't by any means make you a bad mother. Don't worry about it, just don't let your anger get the best of you next time :)

oh my goodness, what a terrible situation. but don't worry, you're not the first parent to holler at their child! everyone does it, children need to know you're the parent and in charge. i don't know how many people there were at this conference, but i would suggest talking to the people you personally know. tell them how you feel. people won't even remember the event in the near future. goodluck

You should do nothing. You should defend your actions as being a stern parent. There is nothing wrong with it. In my opinion it sounds like you care more of what your congregation thinks of you then your child. Kids need more harsh parents such as you. Just my opinion though.

Nothing. You have the right to discipline your kid, wherever you are. If the other people of the congregation don't like it, too bad! You did the right thing taking her out of the chapel. I wish other people would do that in similar situations.

Take some parenting classes. Three year olds don't have "attitudes". They have very simple thought processes and react in such a way that gets them what they want.

She wanted out of that meeting and YOU gave her exactly what she wanted. You just can't reason with a 3 y.o.

wait until fast and testimony Sunday-give a testimony letting l -by telling them how bad you felt after the incident.

I wouldn't be too worried. I too am LDS and I have 4 kids. They are 9,7,3, and 2 (and expecting lol). Everyone gets upset with their kids and I bet the congregation didn't hear it. Even if they did, they will probably forget or didn't know that it was you. Don't stress over it. When my kids are really moody, I don't even attempt to go in the chapel! We will sit in the foyer with the speakers on. That's just a hard age and most everyone knows that. Don't be mortified and I am sure that you didn't ruin the spirit of the meeting. You shouldn't have to let people know that you are ashamed and how you feel, but if you feel that bad then you could bring it up next time you bear your testimony. I wouldn't though, it would just be a reminder if they did hear it.

Don't worry about it.

Good parents care about their children, the way they behave as well as their physical wellbeing. To care for a child you must sometimes discipline them.

More importantly - every parent understands how children can really send you to the edge of your temper and indeed sanity. Everybody also understands embarassment. We've all been there.

If you like, write an open letter to the church for their information board or newsletter apologising for interupting the meeting. After that, forget it and move on. You cannot change what has been - so put it behind you.

Every parent in that meeting, if they have kids over two, has felt like doing the same thing, if they haven't actually done it. They do understand.

What they may not understand is why anyone brings a child to these meetings in the first place. One leader in my church said this. "If a meeting is not interesting enough to keep a fourth grader interested then there's no reason to have the meeting for adults."

If your child does not understand the ritual of the meeting then why should the child be there?

Apologize to the child. Let the church fend for itself. You were being a parent. You did fine. The child needs to know when he or she has reached a limit and your child had reached one.

Kev

I'm sure your ward members understand, and I bet some were secretly happy you did yell at her. (no offense)
We had fast Sunday the last Sunday in March, but if you all didn't, you might try incorporating a story or an example about how you know everyone gets upset at their kids, and how you're no different, then tie it in with something concerning your repentant attitude or the lesson you learned or even that you want your kids to know that your sorry and you love them. I wouldn't make it sound like your talking to the congregation itself, but instead to either your kids, or in general terms. If you also had fast Sunday when we did, try to keep it in mind for next fast Sunday.

First, don't worry about the yelling. They'll get over it. It's not like NONE of them have ever done it before.

I don't know about other chapels, but our chapel has rooms set up for parents of young children like yours, so that they can run around and there's a TV with closed circuit so you can still see conference. Ithink it's the Relief Society room. There's also an "overflow" room with very comfortable chairs with the same set up for those who can't sit on the regular folding chairs in the Activity Room. I think children are pretty much free to run around