I have a schreacher....how do I make him stop...please help me !!!

[jarynsmom06]

Ok...so DS is 14 months and has the loudest most high pitched scream I have ever heard. Just out of the blue he will yell and it will make the hair on your neck stand up. When we are at home it's not a big deal but when we are out I HATE it. I feel so bad because I know how annoying it is to other people. It annoys me to the point I have raised my voice to him a coupld of times. I know he is just listening to his voice, but it bugs me. Short of shoving a paci in his mouth how can I get him to stop?

[swampangel]

I don't have any sound advice, but my hunch is that at this age you probably don't want to get too punitive about things he's experimenting with. I might be totally off base here, but I wonder if it's just something he's playing around with right now and will pass. Maybe when you're out and about you can be prepared to head to the car if the screaching starts. Maybe do all of your shopping when you can leave him with your partner.

My 2nd child is about 13 months and at this age I don't really see anything that I'm doing to be a matter of discipline. I'm just trying to create an environment for him that allows him to explore the world and himself as easily as possible. He's done a few of those high pitched screaches and it has been quite shocking to my ears...they actually were ringing one day!

Maybe ear plugs for you? But you said that it's out in public that it bothers you the most. I would maybe for now just try to limit your outtings to times when you're going out for fun with him. Hold off on the errands until you can go alone.

[mezzaluna]

is he teething his eye teeth or molars? my ds is a screecher when he's teething. i'd almost forgotten about this, but he was screeching the other day for the first time in a long time, and i realized he's getting his last 2 molars.

my advice
1. wait - it will go away
2. deal with teething pain if present
3. play games about "loud" and "quiet" with him so that you have some hope of asking him to be quiet when it's a good time to be quiet.

[Collinsky]

This is very common with this age. It is difficult to be calm with, especially in public. However, punishing or yelling doesnt' make the stage go by any faster. It WILL pass! In the meantime, you can say in a slightly hushed voice, "Quiet voice in the store." or "Hurts Mommy's ears! Quiet voice inside." or "Screaming is for outside." It might be helpful if you use a sign for quiet. (We used the ASL sign, but you can make up one too.) Toddlers often respond much better to a sign than to verbal instruction. You can also try to distract him with a noise that is just as fun but not as high in decibels, like Vroom Vroom in the store.Maybe also make sure he gets some time in places he can screech freely: "This park is a good place to screech! Let's make noise together!"

You will have to repeat this many times, but eventually he will get it. And fortify yourself when you're entering a public place: try some affirmations like "If Ds screams, I will be calm. I will keep my focus on my son. OUr relationship is more important than the opinions of strangers." It is tough to overcome the embarrassment, the feeling that you're being judged or that you're annoying others - I find affirmations like this to be helpful when I'm going to be in a situation where those feelings might affect my parenting choices.

[GradysMom]

relieve some stress and join him... at home. it will amuze him but over time he may get annoyed with how loud you can really be. i don't mean yell at him, but with him, spontaneously... and enjoy it. maybe it will, or could become a special thing you enjoy together... at home