What do you do when your one year old cries for long periods of time when they don't get their way?

Abi - posted on 03/16/2009

IGNORE IT!!! my son wont listen if i try and talk it through...so the best thing that works for him is to ignore him....he hates it and screams louder for a bit...but then he calms down...and comes back over with a smile and an apology face...

Shannon - posted on 03/16/2009

I should have taken the age into factor one years old is a little early for time outs... but on the other hand if they are taught young it will be easier to get them to stay there and understand it than when they are in their terrible twos... i have spent an hour at times.. just putting my son back in time out and sometimes i wished i started earlier... it takes a lot of patience... I dont see anything wrong with comforting them as long as they still dont get their way.  Although they will still think crying gets them attention... so its a tuffy at that age.

Claire - posted on 03/16/2009

Quoting Angel:

What do you do when your one year old cries for long periods of time when they don't get their way? the mean thing is you never give in and give them want there what there will so lean them crying dose not work it hard because you did not like seeing your child like that bet in the end it will work when your child get older there will not try running rings around you it mean take some time.

Esther - posted on 03/16/2009

I agree with Elise. I think it's important to be firm and I think time outs are a great tool, but I think one-year-olds are too young for time outs. I don't think you should start those until they are about 2 and a bit more "mature".

Elise - posted on 03/16/2009

i don't mean to be a stick in the mud, but i actually disagree...

i was having a lot of trouble with my daughter being upset for a long time after we disagreed about what it was okay to do. after a while, i decided to change my approach and continue sticking to my guns about what behaviour i was asking her for, but stick with her to help her deal with the feelings that produced in her by offering comfort and hugs if she got upset.

this has helped her understand that i'm serious about what i expect from her, but also that i still care about her. she never acts out for attention, and i think this is because she knows that i'm there for her no matter what, and feels secure with the firm boundaries i set for her.

Meagan - posted on 03/15/2009

i tell my son he can't have something because...then if the fit continues, he goes to his room after the count of 3. most of the time i don't even get to 3 now and he's done with it. just stick with the decision that you make.

Adf0905 - posted on 03/15/2009

We ignored it. When my daughter is throwing a fit, the only thing so wants is attention, either good or bad. So we'd ignore her fits, and now she's 17 months and very rarely screams and throws fits. She just bends herself in to a taco and pouts lol!

User - posted on 03/15/2009

ups....the time out I mean:)

User - posted on 03/15/2009

Allways works for us:)

Kayla - posted on 03/14/2009

Distraction at one year are really key. The trick however is to find a clue somewhere that they really comprehend the situation. If they don't, after more than a minute, you might not get that they even remember why they're there. In that case, again, I suggest you try something distracting! Tickling works well in this house!

Teresa - posted on 03/14/2009

Distraction, time out in the crib/room for a minute or two, and ignoring are the 3 top ideas.  When my son was 9 months old I was letting him play w/ my purse, but I took my cell phone out first since it was the only breakable valuable in there.  He screamed for 20 minutes cuz I wouldn't give him the phone.  I tried comforting and distracting him.  He would have none of it, so I just had to let him scream until he was done and ready to start playing w/ something else.

Jen - posted on 03/14/2009

I agree with the above poster. Just tell them that you don't appreciate their behavior, put them in time out and ignore the behavior. They're just trying to get your attention and even if it's negative attention (yelling, spanking, etc.) they're getting what they want. You could also remove the object they want out of their sight. Hold firm and don't give in or they'll run over you and stop listening to you. Good luck.

Shannon - posted on 03/14/2009

You can try Time Outs... which are very difficult to start.... I've read that not giving them attention while they are tantruming is good... whatever you do.... don't give in... it will only make them keep doing it... because they will think crying helps get their way.