screaming

[ljean]

My 20 month old baby girl screams bloody murder in the car while we are driving, generally screaming in a fit when ever something doesn't suit her. What am I suppose to do? I put her in the bedroom at home but what about the constant screaming in the car?

[Gef]

Been there. done that although 20 years or so ago. I know it's annoying but just ignore them.

[dmsjps]

I agree with Gef. If she gets a 'treat' for doing it, she will do it all the more.

[catra1]

Absolute ignoring- that means no eye contact, no comments, nothing. If it gets worse the first couple of journeys you ignore her then it is working!! If you look at her when shes screamimng, talk to her, say her name or anything that can pass for negative or positive attention then you are back to square one!

good luck

Catra

[mrs.pudding]

I had one just like this too.  I used to tell her that, just like I could close my eyes, I could close my ears.  I would then completely ignore her until she touched me to attract my attention.  If I could see she was still in tantrum mode (and hear obviously!) I would just say "I don't think you've stopped so I shall keep my ears closed until you do."   It really did work and both she and her sister now tell me that they honestly believed I knew how to close my ears!

[boobesque]

oops, im sorry to say i used to singnursery rhymes to my little boy when he did it and he calmed down, my little boy is disabled though so maybe my situation was different, although he isnt mentally affected, anyhow he used to calm down when we sang nursery ryhmes and we have no trouble now

[Greenbhoy]

We had the same problem with our eldest and I found that they soon became fed up of competing with the car stereo.

I used to turn my music up louder than her and ignore her. She soon stopped screaming and soon was able to sing along with Dean Martin.

[kick3m0n]

Greenbhoy....LOL!! The singing along to Deano is a nice side affect

[Cheekyteddy]

Ignore and praise the minute she stops even if it is only to draw breath!

[twiglet4frog]

ignore and try to distract with "oooh look, there is a bright red car over there "etc. if that doesnt work then totaly ignore them until they realise they wont get any atention from u until they are calmer!

If it is a real problem effecting your driving then for safety, plan the best time to drive for less traffic on the roads/when your daughter is the most sociable/have a friend in the car for company to take your mind away from the screaming and onto your driving/avoid the trip altogether until u are ready to tackle it

[dahnajeen]

If there is no legitimate reason for her screaming that needs attention, tell her to hush and if she doesn't, pull over and spank her bottom . . . every single time, until she stops when you say hush.  Eventually it won't be worth it to her to scream while you drive.  As it is now, the only one suffering is you and anyone else in the car, and your daughter is in control.  If a child is in control, they don't feel safe.  Because if they are the strongest person around - who's taking care of them?