Screeeeeeeeeching!

[USAmma]

Help! My 24 month old has a screech that could break windows and pop eardrums. She even turns heads in a group of moms with toddlers who are used to screaming. She does it when she's upset or frustrated, or lately, when she objects to something. I know that it's her age. I'm trying to model for her, since she's very verbal, to say "Mommy I need help" or whatever it is that I wish she would say. But man, it just drives me nuts. She will screech like that 5 times in an hour, all day long. Even over the smallest thing. Any ideas to get her to go down a few decibles? Or just wait it out?

[ambdkf]

I guess it might be a wait it out but I would talk to her about how it effects me. Since the words you are offering don't seem to be helping yet maybe she needs something else that she believes reflects her frustrations - stomping, scream into a pillow, something dramatic, etc. Meet that need to get it out and give the words and maybe she can transition.

I know I am sensitive to sound so it has to be so hard!!

[USAmma]

Thanks for replying. I guess it's normal. I should know since this is the second little screamer we've had in the family. :lol My ears literally pop when she does it. Ugh!

Well anyway, I found a brand new 2 year molar and upon further inspection the other three are not far behind. So that explains a lot of it (and the lack of sleep lately). Poor thing is drooling so hard she's choking on it, chewing her clothes, and has a constant drippy nose. Today she held her jaws with her hands and said, "It hurts right here."

So anyway, I'm hoping that things get easier when those teeth come in. She did use her words more today than yesterday. My strategy seems to be working. SHe will screech and then say calmly, "I want that." or whatever the issue is.

[ambdkf]

Well anyway, I found a brand new 2 year molar and upon further inspection the other three are not far behind.

Oh the teeth!! It seemed like that would never end!!! You forget - kind of like childbirth I guess :lol

The words will come more, especially when she is feeling better!

[canadiyank]

Oh, totally, lol! My dd has 9 teeth and I was thinking the other day, that means *11* more in the next year.

Arghhhhhh!!!!! We're not even halfwayyyyyy!!!!!

ITU about the screeching. I think giving her "scripts" is an excellent way to help her. Also, the book, "Dealing With Disappointment" by Elizabeth Crary has lots of ideas (whole body movements, etc.)

[gaialice]

Chiming in with all the other good ideas and also suggest you buy some ear plugs. Really. When I feel nervous I wear them in the evening. I stilll hear everything I need to hear, in case, I ask for it to be repeated, but I do not startle and shiver from the sheer intensity of the loud noise. I was the 4th kid, and all my life I hated the constant noise that surrounded my early days. I lived in a comfort zone of quietness until I became a mom.