7 YO Screaming in the AM

[Anonymous]

My daughter is so annoying while getting ready for school. She is constantly screeching. I've tried punishing her, threatening her, rewarding her etc. It puts me in the worst mood for the day. How do I end an incredibly annoying habit?

[Anonymous]

Introduce the phrase “inside voice.”

[Anonymous]

Is she screeching because things are difficult in the morning or is she screeching because, say, she's pretending to be an eagle?

[Anonymous]

Tell her that she should only scream if:
(1) She is being killed, hurt, etc. or someone else is and needs someone to call the police right away.
(2) She is in pain and needs to go to the hospital.

Otherwise, she needs to stop screaming.

Believe me, this worked for my kid. Lots of sleep, time to get ready, and a good breakfast also help.

[Anonymous]

When my son was in his "loud singing in the morning" phase, we took away 15 minutes of his free time in the evenings so that he could go and get what he needed to get ready for school in his bedroom. We have a futon couch in his room and he would have to put his clothes there and get his backpack ready there. He would get up, come down and have breakfast. Then we would send him into his room to get ready and close the door and he could sing loudly. If he was done singing or he was ready to go, he could come out.

It helped reduce the friction in the mornings. Not sure if it would work in your situation, but he eventually outgrew that (especially when he wanted that time back in the evening to play video games before bedtime).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell her that she should only scream if:
(1) She is being killed, hurt, etc. or someone else is and needs someone to call the police right away.
(2) She is in pain and needs to go to the hospital.

Otherwise, she needs to stop screaming.

Believe me, this worked for my kid. Lots of sleep, time to get ready, and a good breakfast also help.

The problem is she’s playing by herself or with dog or sister when we have too much time to get ready. The days we rush she’s quietest!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is she screeching because things are difficult in the morning or is she screeching because, say, she's pretending to be an eagle?

Like she’s pretending to be an eagle. An eagle whose babies are being slaughtered and stolen in front of her. -op

[Anonymous]

There's not screaming indoors, at any times. Set this rule and enforce it by removing privileges when she screams. Or, make her wait outside on the porch or in the garage until you are ready to leave for school so the other family members can have a quiet morning.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, just wear ear plugs.

One of my kids hits me at just the wrong pitch, and when he was little I used to pop in ear plugs. It really took the edge off.

[Anonymous]

My 7 year old basically wakes up screaming. We’re working on it but it has helped to ask her why at calmer times. She likely has ADHD (her therapist suggested “The Explosive Child”). Reasons for screaming include trouble transitioning, time blindness / feeling like we didn’t give her time to play (even if it’s an hour), and hating clothes.

[Anonymous]

Tell them to go to a screamhoise if they want to scream

[Anonymous]

What’s motivating it? Is your kid stressed about her day? Attention seeking? Bored? See if you can sort out the purpose of the behavior and solve it with a replacement behavior or change-up to your morning routine.

[Anonymous]

If she wakes up with all this energy she needs to get it out, but so that it doesn’t disturb others. Take her immediately by the hand to her room every time and tell her to stay until she’s ready to stop. It will take a few days of consistency until she realizes sh3s going to be interrupted and have to go to her room each time, and you have to be willing to take her each time, even if you’re in the middle of getting dressed. Don’t yell at her. Give yourself time to have this happen.plan on getting up a little earlier, as it’s clear it’s going to happen and take some time for at least a week. To ease your frustration, plan for it.

She may need a visual schedule of what she should do each morning if she is playing instead of getting ready. Little kids need parents up and dressed before they get up, because they need a lot of guidance and connection time and they will seek it even if you are trying to get dressed or pack lunches.

Put it in the form of respecting others and in the morning is too early to be loud. And praise her for success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell them to go to a screamhoise if they want to scream

Plus 1

[Anonymous]

Outside voices are for outside only. I agree with making her return to her room, or sending her out on the deck, every time. I get really easily irritated/overwhelmed by loud sounds, and consistency with implementing this has been so helpful in my house!

She might also need to get energy out. There are some fun, quick “workouts” for kids that are great for that! My OT friend has recommended them for my oldest, who has tons of energy at bedtime. Look up 7 minute HIIT for kids.