My dd has picked up a real annoying habit. When she wants something, doesn't get her way or is just bored she starts screaming in a very high pitch. She does it mostly in the car and it is so dangerous because it takes my consentration away from driving. I don't know where she learned it and I have no clue how to stop it. This is something that ds never did. Also, while I am on the subject of dangerous car activity, she is forever taking her arms out of the car seat straps. The carseat came with that little plastic buckle but she has learned to push it down so that she can take her arms out. How do I stop her from doing that? I have even gone as far as to stop the car and spank her. Which doesn't work because it doesn't phase her. She is a very difficult child. Very stubborn.

By Jtw on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 01:50 am:

I hate to say this, but I think you just have to live with it. Both of my dk's went through a shrieking phase and I just wanted to rip my hair out! Screaming back doesn't work, that just makes your throat hurt. Blasting the radio doesn't work, that just hurts everyone's ears. I think they just do it to test out how it sounds. If it makes you feel any better mine are 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 and they seem to be out of that stage now. The only thing I can suggest is distraction. Do you let her bring toys in the car? Do you talk to her about what you are driving by? She could be doing it because you aren't paying attention to her, and we all know how two y.o.'s think they deserve all the attention in the world.J As for the car seat I have no idea. The only suggestion I have is to purchase one that isn't so easy to get out of, but I know that's not always feasible because they aren't cheap. Hopefully Trina will see this. She knows a lot about car seats, so she might have some suggestions. Hang in there, it is probably just a phase! By the way, your dd is sooo adorable. Doesn't it make you crazy when they are doing something so annoying, but you can't be mad because they are so dang cute? That is how it is with my dd.

By Feona on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 07:06 am:

I like JTW suggestion. We stop the car when DS misbehaves in the car. We don't move until he calms down. Well that is the theory anyway....

By Cat on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 09:21 am:

One thing I've found helps (this is really hard to do at times, though! lol) is when kids are being really loud or using something other than an "indoor voice" is to speak very quietly to them. It models what you want them to do and as my psycology major sil says "it forces them to listen." It can be very calming to them, also. I have a 15mo that I take care of and he can really get pretty wild and sometimes just speaking to him very quietly gets him to calm down.

As for taking her arms out of the straps, I'd do like JTW and Feona said. Stop the car. She needs to understand that's a HUGH no-no. Good luck.