How do I get my 2yr old to stop screaming??

Shanelle - posted on 03/07/2013

i have a 2 yaer old little and she is my only child by me i have 4 step kids but anyway i have been dilling with her screaming non stop not its got to the point she dose it in public and she screams if you go to change her and pick her up tp hug or kiss her i just dont understand can someone help me please.. im pulling my hair out

Abbie - posted on 10/17/2009

So I am gathering he is screaming cuz he is upset/ mad? OH yeah, my son does that. I too to the NO!! But also it depends on where we are, if we are in the truck, I shut off his music til he stops. If we are at home, i walk away! I tell him WE DON'T SCREAM in a firm strong voice I don't yell I say it firm. I don't make him apoligize because at this age I don't feel they understand what that means. But also if he continues I'll scream with him. Seriously it messes with them. They don't get it. If worse comes to worse I make funny loud noises to distract him. ( my son is strong will and very dramatic & sometimes with him he just needs distratcting. I also spoke to a child pyschologist that suggested the being stronger willed then him....... it does work, hold your ground it will get better ))

Tinker - posted on 10/17/2009

my lil bro was a screamer so momma kept a small squirt gun in her pocket. when he'd start screaming (it didn't matter where we were) mom would "shoot" him. the surprise of the "shot" always shut him up quickly. is effective & doesn't hurt them.

and if you have mop handy a cold glass of water works wonders.

Helen - posted on 10/17/2009

leave him scream hunny! i did it to colin, took him 3 days. hes in a big bed now. he hated it to start with but now hes ok. its just the change hes getting used to. i told colin he didnt have to go straight to sleep and he could play with his toys aslong as he was quiet. hes normally asleep 20mins later! the coughing and choking is just to get your attention, i wouldnt worry. ignore it and eventually he will make himself sick and then he wont do it again! x

Claire Emma - posted on 10/17/2009

Just joined and god i know what you are all feeling. My son is two and a half and the screaming is sometimes too much to bear. But i know one thing that does work and quick. if you have a stair gate. Put it in the door to the hall way and one on the bottom of the stairs. Remove anything that could be harmful and lock the door ( so the clever ones can't get out). When they have a tantrum. Put them between the two gates and close the living room door. telling them that when they have stopped and calmed down they can come back in a play, etc etc.

This works wonders not only do they get the message quick, but you also get time out from the screaming because they door is closed. Any midwife helath visitor etc will not recommend this but some time i feel tough love is the only way.

While we are on the subject though. Sleeping has become an issue and this one i can't seem to find a remedie for. We put him to bed and seven on the dot. he gets changed for bed at half six, on the dot. He goes with a bottle, no dummy. But when you leave the room he screams so much he actually cough and chokes. Any ideas, obviously you can't leave them when they get like that. We took his ot sides away about two months ago and it's only been in the last two weeks he's started this so i don't think its that. we have put a gate in the door to stop him from coming down the stairs when he's gone to bed.

Would apprciate any ideas. He still has he telly on to so other than teh cot sides nothing has changed.

God knows the answer but i wish he would tell me lol

Hanan - posted on 09/22/2009

honestly ladies i think earl plugs are the best thing for me right now..I just feel bad for my neighbors lol i hope it ends soon

Dawnie - posted on 09/21/2009

on that note i'm off for cup of tea before bed. i wish you well... it WILL get better, i;m determined!! :) have a good sleep nighty night

Dawnie - posted on 09/21/2009

normally i can cope but my 6year old decided that this was the weekend that he wasn't listening either-normally he's very good, no angel, but good! we went out to dinner and i was mortified at both their behaviour. went car booting sunday morning and left 20 mins later amidst much kicking, screaming and "i want" needless to say nothing was had

Helen - posted on 09/21/2009

My son started doing that pretty much as soon as he hit 2! in about a week, i stopped him doing it! if hes screaming in a tantrum i get down to his level, tell him i want him to calm down and if he still doesnt stop i put him on his step, explain to him that he will stay here untill hes calmed down and when hes calmed down i go to him and tell him to apologise and when hes apologised he can play (or if hes screaming because he wants something when hes asked nicely he can have it). normally when hes in a tantrum and i put him on the step hes normally calmed down within 30secs. i also reward the good behaviour, normally with a sticker or if hes had a good day he can watch thomas the tank engine before bed. its important to remain calm, dont shout and get down to his level because if you shout you are only teaching him that its ok to shout and its intimidating for a child to have someone standing over them shouting so your likely to just make it worse. try praising and rewarding him everytime he asks for something nicely or when your to boys are playing nicely encourage them to play without hurting each other (but sometimes boys will be boys!). sometimes my son accidently plays to rough with his 10 month old sister, but i always make him apologise so that he recognises that hes done something wrong and learns to be more carefull and have an understanding that other people have feelings too! hope this helps

Jinglebones - posted on 09/21/2009

This was my day with my 2 yrs and 8 months son:

- screamed upon waking because daddy came in instead of mommy

- screamed when daddy went to take cereal from the same box as he had

- screamed when given an orange child's spoon instead of his Thomas spoon

- screamed when he was given juice (that's what he asked for)

- screamed when he was given milk (that's what he asked for)

- screamed when diaper was changed

- screamed when pajamas were removed

- screamed when clothes were presented (yes, that shirt, NOOOO, NOT THAT ONE!! - same shirt....)

- screamed when asked to come put on shoes

- screamed when told if he didn't put on shoes, he could not walk to the bus stop with his dad and brother

- screamed when dad and brother made their way to door



I would do the whole day, but this all happened between 7:02 and 7:54 in the morning so I am guessing you get the picture. They are called difficult children and, I regret to report, this is much better than it used to be - the screaming is shorter lived most times (but not all...). Try to give yourself as many breaks as possible and try to breathe. The good news is, I have a nephew and a son of a good friend that I saw this past summer and they were both very difficult children - they are now 12 and 11, and they are delightfully normal (you can imagine my relief!!) Stay the course, and try meditating...

Hanan - posted on 09/21/2009

wow i didn't realize so many of you would have the same problem...He was quiet child and he turned 2 and just started acting out!!

Heather I always ask for an aplogy after and he does apologize but for some reason he will still scream knowing it won;t get him anywhere.....It is a little embarassing when we're out and he wants something he can just start screaming at the top of his lungs

Maybe I will have to buy some ear plugs lol...i denifitely need them

Karen - posted on 09/21/2009

First I am old school and a smack on the bottum is legal. Don't beat him just a smack and do not do it when you are made cause the smack will be to hard. Put him in his room and just let him scream if he does not stay, I did this with my daughter she is so strong willed even now at age twenty. I got a friend of mine to help with my daughter once she was old enough to understand my words which I think was about two or three. I told my daughter that if she loved her dady and I she would respect or listen to what we say and if she does not listen then I will call Mary and she will come and stay with you untill you are done acting like this. It worked. I know sounds mean but kids that do not listen need something that will grab the attention and make them child think.

Heather - posted on 09/21/2009

One more thought ask for an appology..it's rude and that isn't ok. I think he will start realizing that it isn't ok to treat you or anyone with lack of self control. Good Luck you are doing great! :)

Heather - posted on 09/21/2009

You can out smart him! A firm non-yelling "Nooo!" seemed to work for me, followed up by "we dont scream." that would be all I said, repeating it as needed. Followed by what you are doing ie. making him ask you nicely. My kids also heard" that's not appropriate behavior."With my disappointed look.

Good luck and just breath. Oh & earplugs are great! ;)

Rebecca - posted on 09/21/2009

I had issues with Katie when she was same age took advice and left her to scream as she wasn't getting any attention she soon learned took just over a week and was very hard but in the long run better for all of us just make sure he can't hurt himself . The other thing we tried was a time out chair facing away from the tv and everyone we kept her on it for as many minuets as her age so now on the odd occasion we leave her there for 6 mins

Julie - posted on 09/21/2009

My son who will be 3 in november does the same thing. I wish I had an answer I am just as confused as you are. It can be from telling him no, to his brother doing something he doesn't like, or just plain stubborn!!! If anyone finds out how to handle this I would appreciate at it too. We were in walmart and he did this...I was so embarassed!!!

Dawnie - posted on 09/21/2009

i don't know but let me know when you do as my 3 year old is still at it...some days are better than others. he's started the temper tantrums about 3 months ago on top of the normal days' whining and crying.

Sharon - posted on 09/21/2009

AWW!!! I'm sorry - you're doing the right thing. Now you just have to wait it out.



Being more stubborn than a 2 yr old is tough to do!



hang in there! It does to come to an end. keep up the discipline and tough love!!