I feel like I'm a broken record with this - telling the kids to not scream or run inside. Seems like as we get into the colder months, it gets even tougher.
Do you tolerate any? None at all? Does it work, or is it a neverending battle?
Sometimes I let them run a little - like in circles in the play area - but otherwise it is way to dangerous to.
Re: Running and screaming indoors
This is going to sound terrible, but I just open the door and put the child outside. They get one warning but it is if you use an outside voice, you go outside period. It's never in an angry way, just an oh, you must need to be outside now. Sometimes one or both will stand there and scream a couple of times, sometimes they calm down immediately and ask to come back in. It has proven to be very effective.
Also, we try to have sometime outside everyday anyway. We do run occasionally in the house, in the play room, trying to "get" someone, but it is pretty tame.
hmmmm - we let DD run inside. If she gets really wound up, I would tell her knock it off, but generally it lasts maybe 5-10 minutes. I figure if she knocks herself into something (unlikely) she won't do it again.
Yelling and screaming - yeah, those are only for outside. That hurts Mommy's ears.
We are working on getting DS to stop running/jumping/etc inside b/c he is just too big and fast to do it now. To replace the activities that used to include running and jumping, we play crawling tag (LOL) and have dance parties. I also make sure to get the kids out of the house to either the rec center (they have open gym for 3 hours every day) or a local gymnastics center once or twice a week (they also have open gym times) just to burn off energy.
I have also been known to bundle DD up in 8 billion layers, stick her in the stroller, and take DS for a run outside. He's totally into exercising right now, so he likes to show off how far he can go without stopping.
Some tips to get wiggles out:
Let's pretend we are: (popcorn, fireworks, kitties, butterflies, trees, rocks, snakes, etc). You start with the more energetic ones and work your way to the quieter ones.
Simon says: Repetition is huge. Stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down, touch your toes, touch your nose, touch your toes, touch your nose. Most kids this age think this repetition (as long as done playfully and not like a drill sergeant) is silly.
Repeat after me songs (once again start loud and move to whisper/silent)
Other than that, let them go out and run! Our state licensing says they can go out (dressed properly) as long as it's over 25 degrees. If it's colder than that, find a hallway and let them go nuts. :-D
He's the single greatest thing I've done in my life and reminds me daily of how fun (and funny) life can be. He's turned out pretty swell for having such a heartless and evil mother.
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO