cute or not?

UMwife · July 2010

Now that Carley has discovered that she has a voice, she has picked up a few endearing habits. During any feeding time, she thinks it funny to scream or yell if we're taking too long between spoonfuls. Or if we're not paying her enough attention. She doesn't do this all the time, only when she wants attention. Or if she wants something she can't have. Or if I take something away she's not supposed to be playing with. Obviously, it's an attention thing (or a 7 month old thing...who knows), but either way, I'm not big fan of it.

Friends & family seem to think it's "cute" but I don't want Carley to think it's ok or funny. I've seen kids throw tantrums over not getting something they want, and while tantrums may be cute at 7 months, they're not so cute once the kid is a little older.

Anyway, I guess what I'm asking is...should I just let it go for now? Is it "too early" to start establishing some rules or shaping certain behaviors? Or am I just off my rocker?? LOL

mrsjessnjorge · July 2010

I feel ya! Nico screams the entire time he's eating. It drives me crazy especially if I'm feeding him in public. But I think they are too young now to try to establish rules that they will actually understand.

MelanieJH1016 · July 2010

I don't think any screaming she does now will be a reflection on her attitude as a toddler. I only say that cause Zoe was such a good baby, and she has SUCH an attitude problem now. But anyway... You can try to discourage the screaming when she's trying to get something she wants, but otherwise she's just excercising her new found vocal chords! Before they have any words, this is their only way to express themselves... so I wouldn't worry about it too much yet!

MellyMelB · July 2010

I don't think there is much you can do about it now. She is learning to demand now....which is good. You can start curving it as you get older. I have a friend who fed her son with TWO spoons because one was not fast enough for him and the kid is still a great eater at almost 4 years old and is well behaved, for a 4 year old.

So I don't think it is a reflection of how she will act about everything. Hell, Sophia was not a demanding eater but demands things all the time now.

Albah · July 2010

I also think she is just learning how to exercise those vocal cords and learning how to demand. I wouldn't go too crazy about it as establishing any rules at this point will probably not be helpful, she's still too little.

UMwife · July 2010

Thanks for all the input ladies You know how crazy us "new momma's" can be, so thanks for not pointing and laughing LOL

Carley's a really good baby, and I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one wondering what her demanding yelling is all about. But my goodness, she wants it and she wants it NOW! Oy! I guess I was just concerned that it was a temper tantrum thing as opposed to a discovering her vocal chords and wants things (which I'm totally ok with).

Thanks a bunch

southmiamiwifejen · July 2010

Emma does the behavior you described, to a tee. Eating time, playing time, etc. If she wants something and you don't get it to her fast enough (or worse, deny it all together), she screams. It really looks like a mini temper tantrum. But like the other girls said, I really think our girls are too young at this point to really understand that they shouldn't do that and I don't think it's any indication that they'll be spoiled toddlers. What I try to do is just distract her from whatever it is that she wants to take her attention off of it and usually that makes the screaming stop. Like Jess said about Nico, Emma screams pretty much throughout her entire meal and once in a while I can distract her enough with a silly song or little game or cool toy and she'll stop. I think distraction is the key form of discipline at this age lol.

carolette24 · July 2010

I had the same concern about the same time you did so I brought it up in mommy and me class and the teacher said that 1st has nothing to do with future behavior and second it is not a tantrum at all but a new found way to express herself.

She suggested to turn this into a conversation, for example if she is screaming while eating ask her "do you want more?" "are you done?" "yummy, those carrots really look good!" (of course in a more expnaded conversational way). If it was when she wanted something she couldn't have just take her away from the object and tell her calmly " I know you really want the "such" but let's see how much fun it is to play with the ball".

I have to say it has worked and now at ten months she points to what she wants, claps when she is trying to tell me she is done eating and shakes her head no when she wants to go for something she shouldn't (of course she still tries a go for it!)

Hope this helps!

FutureHernandez · July 2010

Matthew started this about 2 months ago when I wouldn't feed him fast enough! It was cute at the beginning but now it's gotten louder and he doesn't whenever he wants something RIGHT NOW.

I know he's trying to communicate with me during feedings, so when he screams I say, "more". Hopefully he'll catch on and replace the screaming with words.

Mrs.ClariC · July 2010

Like the others said, I don't think there's much you can do right now. It's actually good that she's doing this, it's her only form of communication. What I have read in reference to the tantrums that they throw when you tell them not to play with a certain thing is that you should replace it. If you tell them "no, don't play with that" and give them something else, they usually forget about the other thing for bit. I try to do that and most of the time it works.

SoontobeSavino · July 2010

I dont care about anything, lol, your daughter is GORGEOUS!!! I could bite those cheeks!

UMwife · July 2010

SoontobeSavino:
I dont care about anything, lol, your daughter is GORGEOUS!!! I could bite those cheeks!

LOL! Thanks Lauren...I gues I'll keep her afterall

melly&jimmy · July 2010

she is too cute! She is communicating with you so that is definitely good. When Chelsea started doing this - I would ask, "Mas?" and taught her to sign "more". So even to this day when she wants more of anything she says and signs "mas".

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