Help, I have a screamer on my hands

[emmaloo]

My 18 months old is, well, feisty. Always has been. She screams all the time, when she wants help, when she is frustrated, when she wants , when she doesn’t want her diaper changed, when she doesn’t like food and when she is upset about anything. She screams when she is happy too. She screams in the faces of another kid when she wants a toy and she has even made a few cry with her loud shrill. She already has a reputation as the loudest in our play group. Otherwise, she is the sweetest girl ever.

But the headaches at the end of the day are getting to me and I really want her to learn to be more...civilized.

I have tried timeouts (1 min in corner) specifically for the screaming at other kids and have also done timeouts for other things such as touching plugs in outlets but it doesnt seem to have any results. And besides, she screams so often she would just be in the constant state of timeout if I did it for all screams.

Does anyone recommend a book that might help or have some advice? I need a plan or method. My ears and the patrons of the public library will really appreciate any help.

[3xMama]

I don't think she's old enough to correlate that screaming is upsetting to other people and I honestly don't think she's old enough to correlate that screaming=time out. If she even understands the time out, she's really pretty young for that to be effective. At her age, she doesn't have a lot, if any, impulse control and may not be able to stop herself.

My only advice would be to say "no-no" in a very grave voice while frowning when she screams and smile and nod saying "yes!" when she doesn't scream. Otherwise, I'd say its probably a phase, though she may always be a boisterous child.

[graciesmom08]

We have and are going through the same thing with our "spirited" 2 1/2 year old. She has always yelled/screached "NO" when she dropped something, when someone suggested doing something-even if it didnt involve her, or anything she disagreed with in anyway! She has very intense emotions, always had. I keep reminding myself how it will benefit her in the future, lol! As of now, we just ask her nicely to say "no thanks" instead of the "NO!", which she does after reminders. She is getting so much better, she no longer does that when something falls or over little things. She does still need reminders, but I think that is just her personality and with some patience and guidance in teaching her more constructive ways of dealing with situations, she will eventually "tone down" at least a little!! Good Luck!!