Terrible tantrums!

[Locketjuice]

Sons 13 months, and making it a nightmare to leave the house!

I had to buy a new buggy as he wouldn't sit in it wanted to face me instead, that worked for about a month now if we go to town he screams,cries,bites,hits whilst in his buggy to be let out, if I let him out being 13 months he runs off or touches everything he isn't allowed!

He screams in his highchair,carseat and if he feels the sudden urge!

Anything can set him off!

What can I do

Tried ignoring he screamed for half hour without letting up once! Tried being firm he couldn't care less, tried distraction he will throw what ever I give him and shouts over me, and tried cuddles he thr

• he threw himself backwards!

Also in the house he will stand at the gate and scream if he wants to get out if I let him in the kitchen he opens all the cupboards and pulls out everything so tell him no sometimes he will get up and close the cupboard or others I have a dreaded screaming fit

You poor thing! I remember that age well... ds is now 4. Damage limitation is the key! Safety locks on the cupboards, although I found it worked well to have one cupboard in the kitchen without a lock on which he was allowed to go in. I just put a few bits of tupperware in there and a couple of wooden spoons so he could pull it out and bash on the tupperware. Having one cupboard that he could get into helped with the frustration he would feel at not being able to get into all the others. If he hates the pushchair, have you tried reins? I know this is a bit controversial and some people think that using reins is like putting your child on a lead like a dog, but if he just wants to walk and is frustrated that he can't, they are a safe way of ensuring he can walk without charging off into the street or destroying a shop. John Lewis do a nice set with a comfy little harness or you can get those cute little rucksacks with a lead attached to the back that you can unclip as necessary.

I second the idea about letting him having his own cupboard in the kitchen and letting him play with its contents. We chose to let DS (now 2) in the kitchen and baby proofed all the cupboard doors, but for one. We also fitted an oven guard (is this what they are called)? I also let him "help" by putting flour in a plastic bowl and giving him a wooden spoon - it's v messy but fun and keeps him entertained for a few minutes.

Choose your battles I would say. It's a difficult age but it gets better. I also agree with the reins suggestion, again it's just a phase, he wants to do more than he can. DS has a backpack, I don't use it all the time but he is happy to wear them in busy places or by the road as long as it means he doesn't have to sit in his pushchair. It might not look good (it's one of the things my DCs would never wear before I had him - together with a dummy -ha!) but they are efficient and I'd rather have a smiley child on reins than a tantrumming one in a pushchair. However, there will be tantrums no matter what you do, you can't keep your DS happy all the time, but I found it helps if I let him a bit of freedom. Of, and lots wine in the evening!!!

PS: Wine for you, not your DS