My 2 years old daughter just started having screaming fits I need help!

Nat - posted on 12/24/2012

I wish I knew what to do. My daughter is the same. She's almost 2 1/2 now and has been like this for awhile. Normally when she doesnt get her way (like letting her run around with a fork.. right). She throws things, screams at the top of her lungs, this high pitched awful thing. She does it at stop light in the car. Sometimes it seems for no reason at all, and she's so unreasonable when she's like that!

Shelley - posted on 04/21/2010

I have been going through this for the past bit with our little guy, we have been persistant with short time outs on a matt & are having a little success. Its a work in progress.

Machelle - posted on 04/21/2010

My son does this too. You basically have to find the approach that works for you best. All the experts say AS LONG AS YOU ARE CONSISTENT that ignoring them works the best because it shows them that they won't receive ANY attention that way. If you give in though, this approach doesn't work. Because you are basically saying if you scream long enough and loud enough you will get attention or you will get what you want. And we don't want our kids growing up thinking this right? But what I do with my son is when he throws a fit and won't tell me what's wrong, I'll send him to his room and tell him he can't come out until he's calmed down. It serves as a time out in a sense, because now that he's used to it, he calms down right away as soon as he goes to his room most of the time anyways. He'll get his blanket and cuddle with it, but he can calm himself down now. And she's probably just discovering her voice...try to let her scream outside a few times a day at least that way you can also teach her about inside and outside voices...she probably just likes the sound it makes but it will go away soon, it's a novelty right now if that is the case and it will go away...just a phase....anyways I hope this helps and good luck!

Lyndsay - posted on 04/21/2010

In general, and with this alone, it's probably just attention seeking behaviour. You are obviously going to react when your child is screaming her head off (who wouldn't? lol), and to kids any attention is better than no attention. I would just ignore it. Easier said than done, I know, but if she sees that she won't be getting any reinforcement from her behaviour then she will eventually stop doing it. If there are other behaviours (like banging her head on the floor or the absence of impulse control) then it may be due to some larger issue, which you would need to speak with a doctor about.

Lauren - posted on 04/21/2010

My two year old daughter does the same thing from time to time, and Ive asked every mom i knew what to do. but this is what i found works for my child, and every child is different. when you are at home with her and she does it, get on your knees and look her in the eyes and tell her what when she clams down you will talk to her, but that you don't know what she wants/needs when she's yellin and then walk away and start doing something else and she might scream for a little while but then when she see's your not listenin to her she will stop. don't make a big deal out of it when your home... if she does it when your at the store or something. calmly pick her up and remover her from the store, go and put her in her car seat, buckle her in and tell her that when she's done you guys can go back in. shut the door and wait.. give her about 2mins and if she doesnt stop then go home.
It worked with my child maybe it will help with your daughter as well

Lisa - posted on 04/13/2010

my son is 2 and he also has started this. it is horrible, i feel your frustration. so far the only reaction he gets from me is calmness. when he stops to take a breath i simply say are you ready for bed/nap? if he says no then i calmly say then you need to settle down and be quiet, if he keeps yelling i just remain calm and ignore it, easier said than done i know. if he does this in public i pick him up and leave whereever we are, If we're out to dinner, i'll take him to the car, i don't want others or strangers trying to cheer him up when he's acting this way. we haven't got these outbursts taken care of but it seems to help when i don't get upset, my husband loses his temper first so he has to walk away, if he raises his voice at my son that only makes the situation worse. takes so much patience!!

Carla - posted on 04/13/2010

What is triggering the screaming.. is it that she isn't getting her own way or is it something else... If it is cause she isn't getting her own way i would suggest leaving the room or removing her from the room... I think she could be looking at pushing your buttons and if you don't give her the response she is loooking for she will run out of steam. Make sure she is safe though and say something like oh that noise hurts my ears i need to go... or if you move her say this room isn't for this kind of noise if you want to do that you can do it in this room... I think if you stay calm and ignore the behaviour she will run out of steam and when she stops you could say gee that is soo much better when you are quieter.. this sounds soo much better would you like to do... Good Luck..