My DS has developed a terrible habit of screeching at the top of his voice to put me off what I am doing. He does it while shopping, at home when he wants something etc etc. Have you gone through it and did it take long to pass? What did you do? It is very exasperating and it is a head turner, one of those bad mother looks is what I get!
This happens with us too...though it had ceased for a month or so but today it was back with a vengence!!! Cameron was sooo loud, it was ear piercing. Was a little embarrassing but I kept my cool as it was more a happy screech. DH kept telling him to shush, but I kept saying its alright and reminding myself that kids make noise. I do take him water and treats (like rusks, fruit, crackers) as well as some favourite toys to keep him entertained for a little bit, but sometimes it just can't be helped. I'm sure people would understand - if not they've obviously never had children.
Last edited by Frangipani; March 23rd, 2009 at 04:33 PM.
: spelling
Both my kids went through this stage around 9-10 mths. It was especially bad in places that echoed like supermarkets. Try not to react at all, don't turn towards the noise in fact try and put your back to them. It takes a while but if you consistantly ignore them it will stop. You can try shushing but sometimes this is just the reaction they are looking for and will continue. if they have a key word like quite time, talk in a whisper, like a mouse that they understand it might work but I found ignoring to be the best, the people in the shops will get over it!
I have pushed my son around a shop for a whole food shopping trip with him screaming his guts out. I would just hum to myself. Other people in the shop don't like it, but I can't help it.
He hasn't done it for ages, so ignoring the behaviour and praising/making a big deal of the good behaviour certainly seems to be working for me.
It's hard to ignore as it's pretty awful, but you just have to. Don't even acknowledge his behaviour.
we had a similar experience and found that once we fixed it at home it flowed very quickly into different situations like at the shops. What worked best for us was simply ignoring it and not rewarding the behaviour with ANY attention - be it responding and rushing to him or telling him to stop. Once the screeching or unwanted behaviour was replaced by more positive behaviour THEN we would pay him attention and reinforce the behaviour we wanted.
Not all will agree with this process however we found that it worked really well for us. When you are at the shops and he starts simply ignore it - stuff what everyone else thinks - and chances are those who give you looks don't have children, have no idea and aren't worth the time of day.
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screeching/screaming at the shops
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