Screaming Child=crazy Parents!!

My son did that a lot when he was younger, and you're right! It does drive you completely insane! I just let him go. I knew that absolutely nothing was wrong with him, so I'd put him in his room for a while, and let him belt it out. Soon after, he would calm down and I would explain to him that I was not abandoning him, just didn't want to hear "that mess". Trust me, it will get better. He soon understood that if he screamed like that, he would be left alone and ignored. You should not feel guilty- you are doing the right thing.

Are you talking about that high-pitched annoying scream that kids do just for the hell of it and when you tell them to stop they smile when they do it because they think it's funny? All kids do that. I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is that they eventually stop. The bad news is that it will continue off and on until they're about 4 or 5...lol. All 8 of my kids did it and all of my friends did it so you're not alone. After the first couple of kids, I learned to block it out so I don't often even hear it. Fact...there's really nothing you can do to make it stop. The more you get on them about it the more they do it just to annoy you. It seems that they out grow it faster if nobody reacts to it. Just pretend you didnt' hear it and in the mean time...may I suggest ear plugs?

I recently read in the December issue of Parents Magazine that the terrible two's actually start between 12-15 months or 15-18months. He's probably not getting something he wants and the only way he knows to vocalize his problem is by screaming. We've started to teach our 15 month old how to tell us what he wants, when you feed him tell him something like 'bite bite" and ask him questions, do you want a bite bite. Do you want down, do you want juice. And talk to him like you would any other person. We always tell our son, you have to tell us what you want, we can't read your mind, you have to tell us. Then once he gets the hang of that, start the pleases and thank you's. Hope this helps, good luck

Hopefully, it's just a phase. If screaming over him doesn't work, try ignoring him when he's screaming just to hear his own voice. He's enjoying his newfound power and the attention that it has gotten him. You can always record (video or just sound) him during one of his screaming fits and play it back for him when he's calmer, making comments about how silly it looks. They're alot more self conscious when they can "see" what the problem is.

If he's just screaming to be heard, then more than likely he's just found his really big voice and likes it a lot. If you want to see a priceless face go across the room from and scream back at him. My daughter went through that and it helped to slow her down, she wasn't the loudest thing in the room anymore. I also add in some of the "ignoring it" too. She's five now and keeps the screaming in her room and we can tell when she's just playing. By the way it didn't take too long for her to get out of the "screaming" stage.

i have the same issue with my 2 year old, so if you get some good advice.........please pass it on
B.

Oh boy. Yeh, I can relate to this one. I have a 2 year old, and he's still doing it. He's always laughing, and normally just using his 'big voice'. My step dad yells back at him (playing), my mom ignores him, and I get him to relax. All of them work. Most of the time, he's just yelling to get attention, or just to hear the sound of his own voice. J still hasn't grown out of it, but he's doing it less now.

I went through the same thing you are going through. I dont think you should yell at the child because that only frustrates everyone. I would put the child in their own room and ignore them. I know that sounds hard but if you act like you dont here them they will stop. And it does work the first few times but keep it up and stay calm.

My son is doing this too. I usually put a finger on his cheek, look him in the eye and say something like "You don't need to scream, I'm right here," or "We don't scream inside." It seems to have died down. The screaming because of a temper tantrum? Whole different ballgame.

I have been through the same thing with my son and I have found that yelling back at them doesn't help at all. What I have found to be helpful is just telling him that I don't appreciate it when he screams and if he's screaming at me or someone else, I explain to him that it hurts feelings. But since your child is only one, I don't know that you could use time out or explain anything to them. My advice would be to do your best to ignore it or find out why he is screaming. If he is screaming out of frustration because he is unable to do something and he just doesn't have much patience, then maybe try to teach him how to ask for help. Look up the sign for help if he's not communicating verbally. I used sign with my son and found that it greatly reduced his frustration on meeting his needs and wants. That's what I did with my son and it worked really well. When you approach him when he's screaming, be very calm, cool, and collected because he will sense that and maybe calm himself a little enough for you to stop what you're doing, sit down near him (getting eye level) and seeing just what it is that he is screaming about so you can help him overcome it. The other reason he could be screaming is just for some attention which I would do the same thing. Sit down with him and do something constructive to help redirect the behavior but don't let him think that if he wants attention all he has to do his scream. I hope this is helpful.

M. ,As long as you know there is no medical reason for this and it happens as behavior problem ,I think then he could be just so head strong he is testing you I would tell him if you wish to scream you can but in another room.I wish you the best but the only thing you can do if you know for sure its not medical ,is let him break himself by knowing he dont get attention this way .Best of luck to you .

As long as you know that there is nothing wrong with him, I'd suggest ignoring him completely. Walk out of the room and don't go in until he's done. Tell him that the screaming is why you're walking out of the room and then leave. This worked for both of my boys. It takes a while for them to realize that you won't give them feedback but he'll get it. Plus, he's probably just realized he can make that sound. He'll be bored with it soon! In the meantime, just take 10 deep breaths and roll with the punches! Good luck and it'll get better, no doubt...

Children experience with their voices so much and yes, it can be very frustrating to say the least.
I have six kids and had found that when my children went through this stage, I would gently put my hand on, not over, his mouth and then say, shhh. Then quickly remove my hand and say shh again. It takes a bunch of times but it seemed to work with my children.
Good luck.
C.