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Original poster

Please everyone read and advise, I am at my wit's end

126 replies

Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 21:59

DD2 is very nearly 2. For the last few weeks she has wailed for several hours a day. The rest of the time she is absolutely fine, plays nicely etc. But when she wails she really screams, on and on, never ending.
She has been poorly recently but she was screaming like this long before she was ill. She wants me to just hold her all the time, that is often the only way to stop her screaming. But then at other times she continues with the screaming while sitting on my knee or being held.
I have no let up from her. This afternoon it was non-stop from when I picked her up from the childminder's until about 30 minutes ago. Wailing. Shrieking. Moaning.
I am reaching the end of my tether. I can do nothing lately. I have been really ill this last week so as you can imagine, having a toddler who is so demanding has worn me down even more. I don't know what to do with her. So often nothing I do will placate her. It is not just me as I have a friend visiting at the moment and she is bewildered by it too.
Please help me!

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salsa · 21/03/2006 22:06

Mine aren't much older really but how quickly one can forget how well a child can speak at tat age, Can she communicate enough to tell you what is wrong or is it just frustration?

robinpud · 21/03/2006 22:07

Horrible situation Yorkiegirl. Does she shriek at the childminder's? My ds has often been very strange in his behaviour before and after being ill. It has passed and I am sure this phase will too. Does she repsond to you talkng to her and can you keep up a stream of gentle chat to distract her? Are there triggers apart from just her desire to be held?

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:07

her speech is quite good, she does speak in some sentences, but when she screams she doesn't speak. Its just noise

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Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:08

there aren't any triggers that I have been able to pin down

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salsa · 21/03/2006 22:10

Yorkiegirl, sorry but I don't know just bumping, good luck

busybusybee · 21/03/2006 22:10

Hi yorkie My dd is 21 months and similar - no real reason. Sometimes she is an absolute darling, often she screams wails and moans for hours on end.

Its driving me nuts too - My dd can only say 5 words or less so no other way to express herself, I guess!

You are definitely not alone :)

VeniVidiVickiQV · 21/03/2006 22:11

What does she do if you totally ignore her, and do something odd like wander round singing at the top of your voice?

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:11

she follows me round and screams at me. Pushes me around the legs etc.

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VeniVidiVickiQV · 21/03/2006 22:12

And what does she do if you act really really enthusiasticly about something banal or her day or when you pick her up?

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:12

we cracked the bedtime thing VVV but days are a killer

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Miaou · 21/03/2006 22:12

Does she do it at the childminders or just at home?

VeniVidiVickiQV · 21/03/2006 22:12

i mean, collect her from the childminders?

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:12

when I pick her up she either continues screaming or will sort of sob and shudder a bit (because she's crying)

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Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:13

she starts at around 11.40 at the childminder's with the horrible temper and screaming. I pick her up by 1pm

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dreamteamgirl · 21/03/2006 22:14

Hi Yorkie

Does she have all her teeth? Looking at the charts the last of the baby molars come at around two -any chance she could be teething badly and upset through that? I dunno, maybe try some painkillers and see if it improves her mood any?

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:15

I have given painkillers to see if she is having some discomfort but they make no difference. Sad

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VeniVidiVickiQV · 21/03/2006 22:15

Excellent, about bedtime.

Im going to say something really unhelpful now, but, sometimes, this is just what 2 year olds do. The more you ignore or play down the screaming behaviour and make a huge issue when she is being "normal" or good the better. It is hard work. DD has tested my patience quite a bit this week too.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 21/03/2006 22:16

What is she having for breakfast and drinks?

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:16

I know some of it is down to her being 2. But it is soooo extreme. There are times when she screams non-stop for so long I want to crawl into a corner and disappear!

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Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:16

breakfast weetabix and banana
drinks water and juice

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robinpud · 21/03/2006 22:16

Can she be distracted? Can you make a safe place for her to be and ask her if she wants to scream .. or would she like to listen to a story?
Can she make a choice like that? Can you say to her " mummy wants to read you a story but your noise is hurting my head" Put her in the safe place for 2 minutes and see if she calms down.
Could she have an ear infection btw. Mine never have but thet are awful by all accounts.

snowleopard · 21/03/2006 22:17

Maybe try the GP? S/he might have suggestions for things that could be causing DD pain - or reassure you if it's more likely to be a phase.

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:18

she was checked by the GP recently. No ear infection. Someimtes nothing will distract her. Most of the time in fact.

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snowleopard · 21/03/2006 22:18

Does she do it less if you're out & about?

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 21/03/2006 22:19

yes, she is better when we're out of the house but I have had to take her out of play places or toddler groups because she is kicking off.

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