I need some help. Boo has within the past week taken to yelling our names over and over and over again to get our attention quickly. You know..."Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom!" until I say, "WHAT!?" It's only lasted for a few days and I can feel the beast within ready to unleash in a yelling frenzy (blush). I've tried to explain to her that it's annoying that she says my name over and over and over again and that the volume doesn't have to be OUTSIDE levels, but she just doesn't seem to understand me. She really just doesn't seem to get it! Also, do you do time out with this kind of issue? And if so, how do you do time out when you are all riding in the car together? How do I use simpler words than "repeat" and "volume" and "you only have to call my name once for me to hear you" and "sometimes you just have to WAIT until I'm finished talking to daddy for me to answer you" (this one bugs me the most) and "if you call my name one more time, I'm going to jump out of this car and run for the hills" for it to sink in?
Now little Yaks is starting to parrot her, which is almost funny. Almost. No, not really. "ma-ma? ma-ma? ma-ma?"
Can you pull out all your journals and your child psychology and "talk to your tot" books and help me, please?
Lovingly yours,
Amy
4 comments:
I found these on baby center. I hope it helps.
"Two-year-olds, especially firstborns, also scream because they want their parents' attention. It's their way of saying, "Hey, look at me." Your child may raise her voice while you and your partner talk to divert your attention back to her. In this case, devise a signal (a raised finger, for example) that says to her that you know she wants to speak but she'll have to wait her turn rather than scream. Don't reward her by interrupting your conversation — instead flash the signal, finish your thought, then turn to her. If she manages to wait without throwing a tantrum, reward her with praise. If she ignores the signal, remind her what it means and try again next time."
and...
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/preschooler/pbehavior/65472.html
Read the book 1-2-3 Magic. :)
Our main tactic with anything related to screaming is just ignoring it. Calmly, we ask: "Why do you think we can't hear you?" She knows by now it's because she's screaming and/or not being polite and she corrects herself automatically. Maybe if you don't respond to it, she'll stop doing it? 'Course that's easier said than done!!
Thanks so much, girls! I've reserved the book that HRT recommended, and I think that I can use a combination of Train's info and onthego mom's tactic to hopefully curb the problem. You pals are the best!
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