Finally, silence

 Matt has been screaming for over an hour.

Crying, screaming, sobbing, yelling, screaming, all-out tantrum.

Tonight, my son is that kid. You know the one – the one you hear across the grocery store; the one whose face is so blotchy and red from crying that you can’t help but feel bad for him. The one whose screams are totally incomprehensible, illogical and ear-splitting. Why? Who the heck knows! We had a good day – the boys were playing with any and everything, they made cupcakes with dad, helped with dinner and then….[cue the mystery music…dun dun dun]…he didn’t want dinner. A little whining, but salvageable, right? They go up, take a bath and all is well. We all cuddle up in the family room, watch some Good Night Show, and then it starts. He wants a cupcake. Nope, no dinner = no cupcake. How about a piece of cheese or something and then a cupcake? Tah Dah!!! Let the screaming begin. He’s screaming in the pantry, jumping up and down (yes, there is a good reason we keep that stuff on the top shelf!), flopping on the floor, etc.

I tried the calm talking. I tried the ignoring, the empathizing, the sympathizing, the yelling (as a last resort!). After about 20 minutes, I was beyond frustrated. After 30, my head was throbbing. After 45, I seriously had to take a break before I resorted to spanking the screaming right out of him.

After an hour, I flopped on the couch to talk to you all. He’s sleeping in the playroom. He looks all sweet and peaceful; no outward indication of the previous hour. Well, aside from my throbbing head. 😉 Does this count as crying it out? 😆

ETA: [10 mins later…]  I failed to mention that all of this was going down without pjs on yet.  So, after a while of sleeping, I attempted to change the dipe and throw at least a shirt on him. Usually, we can get this done with a minimal amount of fuss; rarely does he even really wake up.  Not tonight!  Commence with the screaming!!!!!  <sigh>

Are we doing this to him? Is he not stimulated enough since his babysitter only comes once a week (and he’s bored with us)? Do we need to go back to daycare of some kind?  Can we wait until fall to get him some social interaction? Is it cabin fever because it’s been so flippin cold out?  Is it lack of exercise (how? the kid never stops!) HELP!  SOMEONE ANSWER ME!