If you’ve ever tried to ignore your toddler’s cry, you know how irritating it can be. It’s high-pitched, and grating to the ear. And when you ignore your child’s screams, it makes you feel like a failure. And worse, it brings back bad memories.
Ignoring a toddler’s screams
It may seem counter-intuitive to ignore a toddler’s screams, but it is important to do so. First of all, screams are a normal part of toddler development. They are a natural outlet for emotion, so parents should avoid reacting to them. If possible, try to remain calm, get down on their level, and try to keep your voice soft. Also, avoid reacting to screaming yourself, as this will only encourage the child to continue the behavior. If necessary, consider investing in earplugs.
Another reason to avoid ignoring a toddler’s screams is to avoid a dramatic scenario. The child may learn that yelling louder gets them better results. If you’re ignoring a toddler’s screams because you’re busy with other tasks, you’ll lose valuable parenting skills. Eventually, your child will stop screaming on their own. However, this tactic doesn’t always work. Instead, stubborn kids will continue to yell louder to be heard.
Another common mistake parents make is not being consistent with their rules. It is vital to follow them consistently. Babbling can be distracting and may not actually get the message across. Instead, use signs and gestures to communicate your child’s needs.
Screaming can be a tool for manipulation
Human distress screams are highly salient vocal signals of imminent danger. Due to their distinctive roughness and acoustical properties, they convey cues that tell us that we are in danger. They can also induce sustained anxiety for long periods. These findings suggest that screaming can be a powerful tool for manipulation, especially in cases of vulnerability.
When a child screams to communicate with others, he or she is often trying to manipulate the parent or another adult by using a negative approach. These screams can be very effective in manipulating anxiety for up to an hour. It is also highly perceivable, even at low intensities.
In one experiment, participants were exposed to alternating blocks of a threat and safe experience. Each block began with a baseline measurement that measured skin conductance. Following this, a written sentence provided information about the upcoming block, and then a subjective anxiety rating was collected at the end of each block.
It can make parents feel like failures
The everyday battles parents have with their children can lead to a sense of failure. Child misbehavior evokes negative memories from our past and can lead parents to snap and yell. The result can make the child feel unsafe and can lead to a rocky relationship with the parents.
While it can be frustrating to deal with crying babies, it is important to remember that they are attempting to communicate with you and are seeking your attention. It is important to remember that yelling in front of a baby is not healthy for both you and your child. Not only is it bad for your child, but it also releases chemicals in the body that contribute to stress and anxiety.
When parents constantly yell at their children, they are teaching their kids how to overreact in times of frustration. This behavior is normalized and can affect your child in the long run.
It can stir up bad memories
Parents can feel overwhelmed when their children yell, and this behavior may make them snap. But yelling can do more harm than good for children. It can create bad memories for them and increase their stress levels. It can also make them feel bad about themselves. In fact, yelling can create a rocky relationship between you and your child.
