Trouble at Bedtime

I think the screaming is one of two things... it's either a ploy for attention, or he's just excited to have found something he can do like that, though at 23 months I tend to believe the first. Either way, I agree that you should just close the door and leave him alone while he's screaming. Tell him before you leave that you will come back when he stops. Listen for him to stop for at least 10 or 15 seconds the first time, then go back in and tell him "Thank you for not screaming. Now I can play with you." If he starts again, immediately leave the room and do it all over again, staying away longer and longer after the screaming stops. I can almost guarantee that this will solve the screaming problem within a day or two.

As for bedtime, have you tried just letting him play until he falls asleep? What time is his bedtime? If it's fairly early, I'd say just let him play a while. Only give him a few toys, and most likely he will get bored after a while and fall asleep. And always keep those same toys in the crib. Once he's played himself to sleep a few times, they will be less and less interesting and he should go to sleep faster and faster. No guarantees on this one, but that's what I would try.

The screaming thing I'm not positive about because my daughter likes to scream too but she also listens most of the time when I ask her to hush. Both of my girls scream when they are playing, its funny to them. I just have try and ask them to stop and explain that its loud and then I will shut the door and just let them play, they don't like the door shut so they usually quit screaming. If it's for attention I believe shutting the door is the best way to go, and when he quits screaming go in there and give him attention. He'll start to get it that when he's quiet he'll get more attention. Now the bedtime thing. My daughter didn't want to go to bed either. She would play in her crib. When she was younger like 9 months or so I bought that oceans aquarium thing that attached to the crib and that put her to sleep no problem. Now I know a lot of people would disagree with me but I put a tv in her room, a little tv like 13 or 19 inches. I don't turn on anything she usually watches, I'll turn on something I would watch, you know something boring to them and the tv seemed to sooth her. Quietness seems to keep children awake and the radio didn't work with me, I think there is just something about the tv. It produces light and sound and little stimulation but not enough to keep them awake. This might not work on a lot of children because the tv tends to keep them awake but it worked for mine so maybe you could give it a try.

If possible, after making sure he's safe, leave the room and let him scream. Perhaps after seeing he's not getting the attention, he'll stop? Good luck! I know that's tough!

First the playing at bed time. If he is in his bed and not causing any problems then I wouldn't worry about it. Both of my kids do this. They fall asleep when they are tired. The screaming: is it a way he uses to get his way or is there something worng? If he is using it to get his way then it is just like any other tantrum and should be treated as such. Set clear rules and stick with it. Don't let him "win" with this behavior at any time. It will get worse before it gets better but it will get better. You just have to be will to go through the bad first.

I think one the things you can do is take all the toys out of the crib that way he will get bored and go to sleep. I have a 2 yr old daughter that at naptime I would have to put all her toys in the closet so she could not get up and play with them. He is probably screaming to get your attention and when he does it louder it's probably just to get a rise out of you. My son when he was little used to do the same thing. I used time outs and that worked well with him.

Hi,

I think the first thing I would do is make sure there are no toys in your son's crib. I would get him on a nightly routine, such as- bath time, read a book, and got to bed, when you put him in the crib explain to him that it is bedtime. Then I would leave him in his crib, close the door, and if he needs to cry, let him. Go back in after a bit and explain to him again that it is bedtime. Repeat. The most important thing is to be consistent. After a few days he will realize he is not going to win this battle.

As for the creaming durring the day.... what starts the screaming? I am sure he doesnt wake up screaming. You have to find the trigger. Is his room a safe place (meaning completely child proofed?) If so, then when he is screaming I would sit him in his room and tell him he can come out when he is done screaming. Just like at bed time, every 10 minutes maybes I would go in and ask him if he was ready to stop. Leave him in there until he is done. Eventually he will give up.

Good luck!