I'll scream and scream until I'm sick..

[SunflowersSmile]

I have a strong willed 2 year old who when upset/ having a tantrum can make himself sick. Whether he can't help it or it is deliberate I don't know but it is bloody annoying. Vomiting is a great way to get my full on attention.
Any ideas to stop it or will he simply grow out of it?

You just have to clear it up whilst making zero fuss and giving him zero attention for it. Not pleasant I know!

Oh it is frustrating. does a couple of warning coughs first and then we are covered. The temptation to chuck him in the garden when I get the warning cough is overwhelming! Saying 'don't you dare' doesn't work. Will try to make zero fuss but it is hard when covered in sick..

What are you doing whilst he has the tantrum? I would be tempted to put him in a playpen or the bathroom and leave him to it -certainly not holding him!

You are right Random mess. I need to back off and leave him to it when not in public place. Tend to move him quickly out of public areas eg coffee shop etc and hide behind pillar/ in toilets out of way of prying eyes. He makes out he is being murdered! Usually get sympathetic looks!

Have you tried to distract him when he starts? I found that a small lollipop works perfectly in most cases.

Random is right, you can't reward it with any attention just clear up and carry on. Whatever decision it was that got them in a paddy needs to be stuck to otherwise they see being sick as a way to make you change your mind. At age 2 I would give them a sponge to clean themselves up (with help) and then get them to change clothes. Is a good way to get them to calm down without being fun and then tell them that 'the answer is still no because...'

Yes, my DS did this when he was about 2. It went on and on and until I decided to ignore it. It was really hard but I would let him be sick and he would stare at me and put his fingers down his thought and try to vomit even more. I would refuse to look and not clean him up until the tantrum was COMPLETELY over.
It was a horrible time and I was afraid to go out for a while. Once I decided not to respond, ihe stopped doing it after a couple of days.
He's 15 now and no longer does it [busmile]

Zero fuss is the key. No expression on your face. Think of a sunny beach somewhere!

Nothing wrong with putting him in the garden and shutting the door on him and not rushing out to clean it/him up

Throat not thought obviously. Bloody iPhone.

Chipping that was what I was going to suggest originally but I thought I'd be thrashed for being cruel.

I have actually dumped my toddler in the garden for a tantrum that was risking breaking the non-safety glass in an internal door. She lived to tell the tale!

Thank you all for your advice. May give my neighbours on either side advance warning of the throwing in the garden technique!
I will try the minimum fuss ideas and handing him a cloth etc.
Off to cafe today to meet friend. He should be all right as what's not to like about cake? I will be armed with stuff to do while he waits for it to arrive.
He is too powerful at the moment!!

DD2 sounds very similar to your DS...will bite herself to the point of drawing blood during a tantrum. I do ignore (except for the one time I have videoed her on my phone, just in case anyone ever needs evidence that the marks are self inflicted ).

In the last week, I have started to grab a book and turn my back to read it when she kicks off. Does seems to have reduced the length of time she'll go for, and she's only bitten herself once. I tell myself I'm doing her a favour ignoring her, as she has got to learn that she can't get everything she wants.

But it is soo hard, especially when the first 2 were so much easier going.

It is a shock when the older ones didn't do such things.
Biting self is very powerful in the attention seeking stakes! Sounds like you are dealing with it well ballstoit.