The screaming is driving me insane!!

[chipper26]

How can I get my 2 yo to STOP SCREAMING It is an ear piercing scream and it is driving me nuts. Sometimes I can take it and other days I get SO angry. It hurts my ears and sometimes even makes my headache. This is one of those actions that makes me want to spank. I won't, but I want to. Any suggestions? Time out dopesn't seem to work. I ask he to sing... sometimes that works. I ask her to yell instead and demonstrate how to yell at a lower pitch.. that works for 10 seconds. Help! I'm on the edge with this behavior.

She she started screaming and then said "Stop screaming." She is hearing the dialogue but not getting it?

BTW, she just turned 2 last month.

[treeoflife3]

I'm having the same issue with my 17mo but she only really screams when we are out in public such as grocery shopping. I understand the wanting to spank thing over it too. Won't but lawsy is it frustrating

Our problem is, if we SAY scream, she just does it more... even if its 'Don't scream' or 'no screaming' or 'we don't scream' and if we say anything like 'do ___ instead' she just laughs and screams more. blah

[lookatreestar]

OMG. i have a screamer too. my ds is only 14 months but he has been screeching for quite some time. problem is he does it as his happy noise (this one is tolerable) his mad, sad, frustrated noise. so loud!! plus we just moved into a new apartment. our neighbors are already giving me dirty looks

[ps4624]

I just asked my DH to take DD on a walk (in a 100 degree weather in Dallas, no less!) because she screamed so loud my eardrum is throbbing. It is maddening! I have no advice, just empathy.

[Stephenie]

I am hiding in my office while my husband deals with the kids because it was pretty much nonstop screaming from both of them all day. Nothing really works for me. When I had one kid, about half the time distraction worked. Now they just get each other going.

[chipper26]

Thanks for the empathy and replies. A lot of the time she is screaming because she is excited and playing. I understand that one, even though it is still hard to take. But when she scream and screams and I know it isn't coming from just pure excitement, I go a little crazy.

Sometimes gentle discipline is challenging. I only tried time out once. She thought it was funny. I sat with her. After she said something to the effect of having to sit over there (on the step) after she screamed... like it was a game. I've got nothing.

[LemonPie]

Originally Posted by Stephenie

When I had one kid, about half the time distraction worked. Now they just get each other going.

Oh my goodness, YES! My 5 yo and 2 yo feed off of each other. One of them starts screeching and the other one screeches back and then they both get going and try to 'out-screech' each other. It's almost enough to drive me to drink, and I'm Mormon

Sorry, no real advice OP, except to say that it will pass. I'm assuming these are happy screams? It's just a new skill she's picked up and the novelty will wear off soon.

[TXmom2]

My 13 month old has that ear piercing scream too It drives me insane!
She does it sometimes when she's happy but mostly when she's mad or upset and it is so hard to remain calm when she does it

Sometimes she just screams every couple of seconds to see what kind of reaction she'll get (She does this A LOT in the car seat or if we take something away that she's not supposed to have) Of course, I try to ignore it but the kids usually react...they'll say whoa and cover their ears or laugh, which only makes her do it more!

I've dealt with it in older kids (2+) and usually I'd treat it similar to whining. Ignore it as much as possible. Tell them that you need to hear their regular voice, being sure to use your regular voice . Often saying "no screaming" backfires because kids, especially that young, focus on the action part of the statement, in this case "screaming". You know...just like saying "walk" instead of "no running".

[spmamma]

I've got a screecher here too. And it's so ear-piercing that it sometimes actually hurts my ears.

DD is a spirited child and was a late talker, so she used it as a form of communication when she was frustrated, excited, etc. When they're pre-verbal I think you mostly have to wait it out.

For DD, once she started stringing words together I started asking her to use her words to express herself. Sometimes I give her examples like, "I'm excited." or "I'm frustrated." Other times, I'll tell her that it's hard for me to understand her when she screams.

It's getting better, but it's a slow process. Sometimes I know she does it to push my buttons... I dread the day when she and DS join forces...

[chipper26]

Originally Posted by spmamma

I've got a screecher here too. And it's so ear-piercing that it sometimes actually hurts my ears.

DD is a spirited child and was a late talker, so she used it as a form of communication when she was frustrated, excited, etc. When they're pre-verbal I think you mostly have to wait it out.

For DD, once she started stringing words together I started asking her to use her words to express herself. Sometimes I give her examples like, "I'm excited." or "I'm frustrated." Other times, I'll tell her that it's hard for me to understand her when she screams.

It's getting better, but it's a slow process. Sometimes I know she does it to push my buttons... I dread the day when she and DS join forces...

I like the "use your words" approach. "I'm so excited, happy, etc." is a good idea or even just "Yay!" or Whee!" might work. I'll try it. Maybe it will knock out at least 30 - 40% of the ear piecing shrills.

[provocativa]

My second is the loudest girl on the planet. A couple things to try- magnesium deficiency can make kids distinguish their sound level differently. Also, kids that are sensitive to food chemicals- see www.feingold.org When they are that young, try teaching them how to whisper, and then later to whistle. When we accidentally get wheat or dairy she is louder. I am going to steer her towards opera. . . .but my mom thinks she would make a good coxswain.