My two year old is a wonderful little boy but recently has been having bouts with the terrible twos. Sometimes he screams when he gets upset.
I have put my palm over his mouth to muffle the pitch and I say to him no screaming. Is that wrong?
What else can I do? Am I wrong?
2006-11-04 05:58:46 · 19 answers · asked by smilingontime 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Putting you hand over his mouth is giving attention to the behavior. Be is positive or negative, it is still attention. Is there a trigger that starts off his screaming or tantrum? Children will start screaming or throw a tantrum when they are not getting their needs met. If they are not throwing a tantrum because they are ill, hungry, or tired, they will throw a tantrum because it feels powerful, they get attention for it, they are testing limits, or they are simply feeling frustrated. When he starts screaming, do the unexpected. Either walk away or put him in a place where he can scream (his room, a pillow) and say “When you are ready to stop screaming then you can come back with me.” Say nothing more than that. Don’t set a time limit when you put him in a quiet place (you controlling him). He returns when he is ready to control himself. Empathize with him when he is calm “I can tell you are feeling (upset, mad, angry, frustrated, sad). What can we do about that?” This will give him words so he can learn to better express his feelings.
Help your son to feel powerful in positive ways by saying things like “Look how fast you can run! You did that by yourself! You stacked every block! You used so many colors on you picture!” These are intrinsic motivators rather than extrinsic rewards ("Good job," stickers, candy).These phrases are great ways to help your son feel powerful, gain confidence, and great ways for you to show your attention in a positive way. Hope this helps! Enjoy the silence!
2006-11-04 06:44:38 · answer #1 · answered by marnonyahoo 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well unless he has a very good vocabulary for a 2 yr old, then he may be screaming trying to get something across to you.. He may feel as though he is not getting the attention he needs, or something of that nature. So therefore if he screams he knows that is going to get your attention some way or another, even if it is negative. Re evalute the situation see if you can find any major reasons as I suggested as to why he may be doing this, but then if it continues.. Honestly this may sound mean, or wrong but it really does work.. IGNORE HIM, because if you feed into it in anyway he is going to see that if he screams you are going to pay attention one way or another.. Do you see what I am saying? If you would like to contact me and talk a little more, you may email me anytime. Good Luck
2006-11-04 08:15:54 · answer #2 · answered by cheryl m 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
After you make sure your son is fine try to figure out what he needs/wants, if you find out let him know that he has to stop crying in order to get it. If you can't just let him know that you can't talk to him while he's screaming and then just about your business. It will be hard to pretend to be ignoring him but eventually when he sees that he's not getting attention from the screaming he'll stop. As much as I'm sure you want to gag him, that's not the thing to do and it will only make it worse.
Good Luck!
2006-11-04 06:04:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A 2 year old does not fully understand what you mean when you tell him to stop. Tantrums and screaming are very normal for this age. Distracting him with a toy, snack, drink, etc and/or redirecting him into something else is a great way to handle a screaming toddler. Although it may not always work, it tends to be the best thing (at least for us!) I think that also sometimes they are doing the screaming for attention and when you harp on the screaming, he may continue. If you give him something else, redirect him or even ignore it, he may just stop.
2006-11-04 06:05:27 · answer #4 · answered by 2boyzandagrl 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
DUCT TAPE!!...hehe sorry i know that was wrong, but too easy...honestly i wish i had an answer, i have 2 children and the best thing i did was just ignore them eventually they SHOULD stop having tantrums (and trust me 3 is not much better-nor is 10 and 12)
you just have to always remember there is no reasoning with toddlers, you will just have to out smart them!
2006-11-04 06:02:27 · answer #5 · answered by amy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can only sympathise because I have a 1 year old who screams loudly and doesn't stop very easily. The ignoring thing doesn't work for her. She is so strongwilled. I wish I could offer better advice, just know you're not alone. Good luck.
2006-11-04 11:40:13 · answer #6 · answered by christinaka6262 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ignore him. I know it sounds mean, but it works. I have a one year old who was starting to have really bad tantrums. SHe would scream and throw herself down on the ground. Ignoring the tantrum is the only way I have found to make her stop. If you give him attention because of it he'll keeo doing it because he knows you'll give him more attention. Since I started ignoring my daughters tantrums, they have gotten fewer and further between, and don't last nearly as long.
2006-11-04 06:42:14 · answer #7 · answered by Ashleigh 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand your pain. I am the mother of a 2 year old daughter, who has just started this fit-throwing!!!! What I have found that really works is to basically ignore her. Now, it's not easy, but it works after about thirty seconds, if you don't acknowledge the behavior, then it stops! Stay calm....good luck!
2006-11-04 06:07:10 · answer #8 · answered by Mrs. Jackson 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you have to ignore it. he is screaming for attention and if you put your hand over his mouth you are giving him just that. you may need to stock up on tylenol for a few days, but it will get better. then, when he starts communicating right, you can praise him and tell him why that is so much better than screaming. trying to tell him that in the middle of a fit is just waisting your breath ;)
2006-11-04 07:35:53 · answer #9 · answered by ♥sweet♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i let my son scream at home and ignore him seems to be working so far or i found out if we were at the grocery store and i said stop screaming he would do it again bc i said the word scream maybe thats the case with you
2006-11-04 06:02:25 · answer #10 · answered by momma 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋