How do you stop hysterical screaming?

[eldestgirl]

3 year old ds has started to scream every time he doesn't want to do something (eg sit down for a meal, clean teeth, get in the bath etc) and on at least 3 occasions, this has quickly escalated into full throttle screaming the place down. I've tried cuddling him, putting in his room for time out (makes it worse), talking to him above the din but none of it works, unless you count leaving him in his room for half an hour with the door secured ajar (Dr Christopher Green)when I think he just got exhausted. It's really getting me down as my husband works away a lot, so it's mostly just me and the two boys (ds2 is 1). I reached breaking point this morning, when he started screaming in his bed at 5am. I have got a star chart on the wall for staying in bed til it's daytime (7am here) as he was a habitual visitor to our room. It worked really well for one week but the second week has been useless. Anyway, he started screaming "I don't want to stay in bed!" and it escalated into full throttle hysterics very quickly when I walked in and told him he had to go back to sleep because he would wake up his brother. He ended up screaming hysterically in my arms for 15 minutes and I ended up in tears as there seemed to be nothing I could do. Does anyone have any similar experiences and do you have any calming techniques?

This is the second time I have posted a question in under 12 hours as DS1 fell and gashed his gum in the bath last night. I am having the weekend alone from hell!

my husband always says to the kids (age 4 and 3) when they are hysterical (especially dd when she gets overtired and in a state) - Don't Laugh - over and over again with a big grin on his face until they are laughing so much they have forgotten what on earth they were hysterical about in the first place. Works every time but you have to look suitably jovial when you say it(and giggle at the same time). I know - we sound mad but I think the key is diffusing the situation (especially when out and the ignoring trick doesn't work!).

oops inflated ds age - he is nearly 3 (as he keeps on reminding us)

zebra - isn't putting them in another room 'walking away'?

I agree with Twigglet - she talks sense!

I wished I’d done this . My partners 7 year old boy inside &outside Asda hysterical crying cause we wanted to shop and he wanted to go to the skate park, no matter what we said, it made no difference, I went and sat in my car while for an hour or more my partner ( poor man) stood by him while he carried on . I wanted to pick him up and put him in the car , but he didn’t, told me Togo home and they walked home rather along way! Any ideas what to do when this happens again. He’s not my child , if he was well let’s say my 2 girls did not get as bad as this !