19 month old son who's screaming has gotten worse. When he first started screaming at about 13-14 months old, I tried to ignore it, but it would surprise me, often when driving, that I would jump and ask him to please stop screaming, firm but calm. However it is gradually getting worse, partly because I think he knows it bothers me. I have just started putting him in time out over the last 2 weeks after a single warning, then punishment. I leave him there for 1 minute, but he sometimes stands and moves to see where I am. I don't know how effective the timeout has been for the screaming. Can anyone tell me how they have corrected this behavior and about how long it took to correct it?
Normal. Kids like to practice new skills - over and over and over. You said that it makes you jump... so I'm guessing he's getting a little bit of a response from you that he thinks is funny. Pay more attention to how you react, try not to react at all. Simply tell him "no" or "no screaming" and redirect him to something else.
Wow...my daughter is 17mos and Im thinking ...ummm...is that gonna happen to me too?? LOL.
Is your son talking? my daughter just started that squealing business about a month ago along with making jibberish noises and stuff and I think she's fixin to talk. Testing her voice. And other ppl agree with me.
Does he do it absolutely constantly? I mean to the point of becoming hoarse?
for some things, and some 19 month olds, probably a timeout is great (i think i was using them before my son was 2 also, once i knew that he understood the concept), but i do have a suggestion because it sounds like it's not working and well, we'll try other things when something isn't working, right? so what i'd do is look him in the eye and simply say "no screaming", firmly with a serious face. and then ignore him and it until he's done. i'd even walk away from him (when possible) when it starts. give him the impression you don't like it, or him when he's doing it. change your expression to deep disappointment and just walk away. it sounds like he's liking the reaction at this point, like you said. #1, don't give him any attention from it, and #2 make sure he understands mommy doesn't like it and won't stick around to hear it. tell him you'll talk to him when he's ready to talk like a big boy. (by the way this has worked great with my 2 1/2 year old son on whining and also throwing tantrums) good luck!
(PS, like some other girls said, at this age it's totally natural for them to test out new noises, over and over and over again -but the "Jump" you give him when he does it is reward aplenty, so i'm thinking he's past that "oh this is a new sound, let's try it out" phase, and is on to "watch what mommy does when i do this!" phase - you're going to have to try not to react - mamas need nerves of steel! might as well start training yourself now...soon he'll be "suprising" you with gifts of worms and bugs- or whatever else he can find to make you squeal!)
simple redirect is sometimes more effective than timeout. I usually just place my finger over my mouth & tap my mouth a few times, accompanied by direct eye contact. The kids learn quickly that if they don't stop the behavior in question, then there will be a punishment. Consistency is the key to effective discipline!
For this age group, if the timeout chair doesn't work....then timeout is in bed or on my lap...without any discussion. No toys, no talking....one minute for each year of age. Whenever I use timeout, I clearly state the unacceptable behavior - the consequence - & the requirements of the timeout....as in "screaming is not nice. We can't do that without hurting our ears. If you do not stop, then you will have to sit in timeout until you can be quiet for 1 minute." After a while, the kiddoes do get it! Good Luck!
Sounds like you are handling it well. It's frustrating, but keep being consistent and it will pass. As for time out, I find it to be effective about 70% of the time. Our daughter sometimes hates time out, sometimes doesn't seem to mind it, but then does stop the behavior I didn't like, and sometimes will put herself in timeout to play! If he's playing with a toy or doing something when he screams, remove it from him when you put him in time out and that may help him understand that it's a punishment. Explain that he may be out of time out after a minute, but he can't have the toy back until he stops screaming. It will probably take some time for him to make the connection.
I don't have any advice, but I will say I feel your pain! My daughter has been a screamer since she was about 6 months old. Nearly drives me insane some days. I do timeouts in her crib but of course you can't do that when you're driving! I'm praying that she grows out of it sooner rather than later. She's almost 2yo now. My 3yo son is also a screamer but only during major meltdown tantrums which thankfully aren't too often. Sometimes her screaming will cause him to scream and then I have it in stereo!
I don't have any answers for you, but wanted to let you knwo that I know what you feel like. My 16 month son started this about a month ago...he does it in public just to get a rise out of me. If you find anything that works please share!
Well, I don't have any advice on how to correct it, but I hope this makes you feel better: my son just stopped doing it on his own after a month or two. This too shall pass.
