Shrieking...

[JustJamie]

My DD shrieks. Usually it's set off because she's frustrated by something. ie, in the car, she shrieks because she's alone in the backseat, and DH and I are usually having a conversation in the front seat. (Can't ride in the back, I get horrible motion sickness) In a restaurant or other public space, or even at home, it's because we correct her for something.

It's driving me nuts. We can't go out to dinner, can't even put her in the car without knowing that she is going to shriek at some point. How can I get her to stop shrieking? (She's 18 months)

[Amris]

How do you respond when she does it?

Have you tried (as hard as it sounds to do) simply ignoring it?

Generally children continue a behavior because it gets a response- either positive or negative, it is a response. This teaches them, "this gets results, do it again!"

If receiving negative results hasn't stopped it, you might try simply ignoring it and carrying on as if it's not happening. Then, when she says something in a soft or normal voice, respond to her.