Toddler is so draining. Constant screaming.

I highly recommend you listen to audio book 'No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame' by Janet Lansbury
It really helped me improve as a parent and completely changed my outlook on my toddlers behavior and my reactions to it, and my relationship has improved with her because of this.

You have answered your on question you give in. First don't give in he will get the message eventually. Don't say no if foe example he wants a biscuit say I can give you apple or banana choose one.

ah I feel for you Op. He sounds strong willed and like he has learnt that screaming works. Gently Op it does work and it’s only reinforcing it. I had a screamer. I literally had to stop jumping to attention when they did it and tell them no screaming and they didn’t get it till they stopped screaming. My DD at about 3 used to announce to me in shops I want this. If I said no she’d look at me and say well I’ll just start screaming with a smug manic glint. Very hard on big shops and I’d give in and felt terribly trapped but what I did after that was purposefully take her out when actually I could just drop the basket and march her out furiously. It did the trick!
When in house don’t give in till he stops screaming. Also take him out a few places where he’s liable to try screaming to get his way but you can just march him out of there. When he starts to stop screaming or gets to stage where you can say don’t scream and he does stop then reward that behaviour. Doesn’t have to be anything massive - even just a hug and a well done.
Hopefully it’ll fix it for you!

Try to see the screaming as his frustration because he is not yet able to communicate. Could you try teaching him Makaton? This is basic sign language which many children find easy to pick up. If his language is delayed this will help a lot. Once he understands how to have his needs met, the screaming should improve. Seek advice from a speech and language therapist if not.

To add - sleep wise try and see if you are offering too much or if nap is too long. At this age mine would only sleep well with 1h15min nap and no later than 2pm for bed at 8

It does get better, as they can use their words more. We did a lot of trying to figure out quick what he was screaming about and saying it eg "oh, you want the train" or "I see, you can't reach X", then encouraging him to "ask for help" or asking him if he can say train for example. Also didn't give in to proper tantrums and took things away for a minute if he was misusing them eg chucking them as part of a tantrum. We also go out twice a day as staying in drives me pure insane, but ours does like to bike. Could you try him with a balance bike? It saved our sanity as he whizzes off on that now in secure areas/paths and we can walk behind with a coffee and actually have a conversation. We didn't think he could manage it but he got one at 2 and was a pro within a few weeks. Also it's so tempting to occasionally lose your shit and let out your own shout or scream but all it will do is scare them and teach them that screaming is ok, so I just needed to sometimes take a minute behind a door and compose myself. It's a rough phase but it does get better

Only respond when he behaves normally rather than screaming.

Also co-sleeping.

I agree. Short "no, we don't scream". And don't give him what he's screaming for. Distract with something else if you can. If you're out and about I know it's embarrassing and you'll feel like people are judging. Some of them no doubt are but it doesn't matter, who cares? If you can, remove him from the situation, pick up and carry and put him down somewhere and wait it out.

I think your using too many words for him to process. Just say ‘Stop screaming’.

Getting out and about is good but the big caveat is that at 2 (or nearly 2) kids tire easily so plan small things with rest breaks. If he won't use the buggy this is doubly important and see about reins if you neex them. Mine went through a no buggy phase and now loves it again, so hopefully this won't last forever.

Much of the screaming will be down to frustration over communication at this age, even though they have words at this age they're unlikely to be able to express what they actually want and that's difficult so they scream/ cry.

The only help I can give is solidarity, just remember 'this too shall pass' and that it's a common phase. Hopefully one that doesn't last too long.

I know this might sound obvious, but have you actually asked him to stop communicating like that? Our DD was late with communication and went through a phase of constant whinging and shouting. We started saying ‘sorry I don’t understand you when you’re making noises’ or words to that effect and she started just using her words. Took quite a bit of reminding initially though but it’s worth it. We say now ‘excuse me we don’t shout in this house’ and she knocks that on the head too & just says what she wants.

Also - don’t give in when he whines. It’s just reinforcing the behaviour. We have friends with twins a year older & when they came to stay with us, we just jumped on all of their good habits as example. IE X and Y only eat snacks at the dining table etc. Consistency is key and we have learnt that by not being consistent and having to undo it. Only takes a few days for them to get it.