Am I turning him into a brat?

[KarlaC]

Ds just seems so much more vocal about what he wants & doesn't like at this age than my girls. He's 7 m/o & lately he sees things he wants & goes immediately into screech mode if he doesn't get them.

He's really hard to distract too, if he wants something it's next to impossible to get his attention onto other things.

So of course my mother claims I'm raising a 'brat' by giving in to him(as long as it's safe)but what are you supposed to do at this age? It's not as if I can reason with him

[elmh23]

He's just very determined and knows what he wants. As long as it's something safe that he can play with, I'd give it to him. By the time he's a toddler, that will change, but he'd also be able to get to things himself, which IME, helps with the screaming.

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by elmh23

He's just very determined and knows what he wants. As long as it's something safe that he can play with, I'd give it to him. By the time he's a toddler, that will change, but he'd also be able to get to things himself, which IME, helps with the screaming.

[KarlaC]

Originally Posted by elmh23

He's just very determined and knows what he wants. As long as it's something safe that he can play with, I'd give it to him. By the time he's a toddler, that will change, but he'd also be able to get to things himself, which IME, helps with the screaming.

Thanks, I guess I just feel a little overwhelmed by him. Maybe once he starts crawling & can reach things himself that might help.

He very much wants our 'stuff' though which makes it hard sometimes.

[Mizelenius]

My 3rd DD (I have 4) screamed for the first 2 years of her life. People wouldn't believe me until they'd call and hear her on the phone. It wasn't anything physical, and she wasn't like that until she was about 3 or 4 months, but it was horrible. I felt resentful! I said she had buttons on the bottom feet, because even as a toddler, she'd scream as soon as I put her down.

I weaned her at 2, and maybe it's coincidence, but she stopped having those non-stop tantrums. Anyway, she'll be 3 in a few days, and I have to say, she's turned into such a helpful, polite, DELIGHTFUL person. Absolutely a pleasure to be around.

On the other hand, one of my other DDs was an extremely easy-going baby/early toddler. For the past three years, she has continually worn me out . . .she is hard, hard, hard. I keep waiting for her to get easier and it isn't happening.

It's personality!

[claddaghmom]

It really helped DD to learn some signs. I think the screaming was more frustration of not being able to communicate. Screaming gets your attention fast...when maybe his other grunts, wriggles and eye contact didn't work.

And then as DD adds more words to her vocabulary, again, the demands have all but gone away. She does this cute thing where she puts both her hands on her cheeks and says, "pease?"

[MangoMommy]

My 8 mo old screams if you take something from her, or move it away from her (unsafe things), I think they are just learning they have some "control" over their world and can vocalize their displeasure LOL. I just tell her sorry she can't have it and quickly try to distract her with something else. Mine is mobile and it's just getting worse, but at the same time, she can be happy for moments at a time as she explores my mixing bowls and tupperware.

[Comtessa]

If my mother (or anyone!) ever called my 7 month old a "brat" I'd probably take their head off! IMO, there's no such thing as a "bratty" baby - but there ARE selfish adults who don't care about a baby's needs.

[crunchymomofmany]

Originally Posted by Comtessa

If my mother (or anyone!) ever called my 7 month old a "brat" I'd probably take their head off! IMO, there's no such thing as a "bratty" baby - but there ARE selfish adults who don't care about a baby's needs.

I agree! A 7mo can't be a brat...they're still too new to the world and learning about what they want! More joy...less worry with one so young!