I have to say that I've been VERY fortunate to not have to deal with a public temper tantrum for the entire 3 years since becoming a mom, until recently. To be honest, I've been dreading it because I don't know how to react or how I would handle it. My daughter is really sweet and cheerful; and although she would sometimes cry in public, she would ALWAYS listen to whatever I told her. Things would never escalate to a temper tantrum. I guess she learned early on that when Mommy says no, there's nothing she could do to change that. But, of course, my son is different. Although he is a happy and easygoing child,  he is also very strong-willed. When he says no, it would always be a challenge to get him to change his mind. And the same goes for when he wants something. And it was while I was out with him, when I got judged as a mother. He had a public meltdown; a full-blown temper tantrum that lasted for a while.