Disciplining children in public becomes an issue only when it is handled improperly. I have seen far too many parents just haul off and hit their children without an obvious reason. The busy parents who snap and scream at a four-year old over wanting to keep the toy they let them play with throughout the store. The self-involved parent who continues shopping even when it is obvious the child/children are overtired and not up to further shopping. The parent who slaps a child across the face while in a store. I feel that that is the public perception problem of disciplining children in public.

I am a parent. I am not a non-parent who is full of advice with no basis in fact or experience. I have less of a problem with a parent who tells a child "NO" and doesn't cave, than I do when a parent lets a child throw a fit and then gives in. That reinforces the child's behavior. The child learns that if they whine, cry or scream long enough the parent will give in. This will only lead to bigger fits, more tantrums and a child who wants more and more. Remember that you are the parent.

A child does not understand the world as we do. They are not capable of adult thought, or rationales. A child is egocentric until about age eleven. They do not have the mental capacity or maturity to realize that the world does not revolve around them. Children will grow up far too fast as it is. Don't rush the process.
Understand your child's temperament and tolerance. If you drag a toddler to store after store, they will get stressed. You almost guarantee a meltdown. Don't take your child out shopping when it's near nap-time or bedtime. Shopping is important, but then so is your child. We are all busy adults; we all have jobs and commitments. However, you had a child. You must respect their needs also.

Teach your child that whining or tantrums isn't the solution. Don't respond to a child's tantrum by having an adult version yourself. You need to stay calm and rationale. If you consistently don't give in to a tantrum, or whining; children will learn that behaving that way will not get them the result they want.

If you have problems with your child touching and grabbing things, don't always say "don't touch." A child only hears the word "touch" and will touch more things. Instead, try saying "look with your eyes." It works much better, and a child doesn't have to hear the word "touch" when they aren't allowed to.

If you really are having trouble with overtired, hungry or whining

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