HELP...screaming toddler!

I have two beautiful girls and for the most part they are well behaved. I just moved them to a school closer to my work, so they are in the car for the ride about 20-25 mins depending on traffic. Sophia just hates it! She is fine for a while then just screams at the top of her lungs non-stop! Isabella is very content and does not complain.

I am talking about SCREAMING and crying and nothing will soothe her. I give her a cup, her blanket, toys and nothing. She wants me to get her out. It is soooo hard to keep my cool because she has a very high-pitched, loud scream...LOL!!! I don't know what to do. I tell her it's okay..then I raise my voice, which seems dumb to begin with....I'm at a loss!!

She does it on the way to school and on the way home too....THE WHOLE TIME...YIKES!!!

 

Are they still rear-racing (here the recommendation is until two - although my kids are turned around) or forward facing? Forward facing really helped mine enjoy being in the car more. If she won't be calmed it is hard but we have a routine when in the car and on the way home - we sing Wheels on the Bus, talk about all the noises different animals make, and point to stuff outside like trees and houses and they are usually to busy trying to show me what they know to be upset.

 

Have you checked to make sure all the straps are fitting correctly? Does she seem squished or pinched? Sometimes my girls will scream in their seats too but I think it's more due to boredom. If we make sure they have their blankie and favorite toys the ride seems to go a bit smoother.

 

Is there a chance that she's car-sick and her tummy isn't feeling well?
If not then maybe try some kids music that you all can sing along to?
Just a couple thoughts. I hope something helps soon :hug:

 

My SIL's DS was like this for a long time. He was one of those rare infants who didn't sleep in the car, and he cried or fussed in the car right up through toddlerhood. He pretty much just had to grow out of it. ardon:

My guys are rear-facing still, and they were getting super bored/fussy on long car trips, so just before we had to go out of town for a funeral, I bought a dual-screen DVD player at Target. I don't love the model I got (if I'd had time to research the features I would have gone with something different), but it has been a *life saver* for long trips. In fact, the boys love it so much that DH puts it on for them even on short trips to the store.

We're not huge TV watchers here (so maybe the novelty is what makes this work so well? :unknw: ), but I'm all about happy kids in the car. :good:

I don't know if this is an option for you, but I thought I'd throw out that idea.

 

That's my son Josh. Both my boys hardly ever slept in the car but for him he just did not like sitting in the car. Around the age of 2 it got better and when he fusses now, I just ignore it and he'll usually stop. Now it's a control issue and when he realizes I can't just pull over and let him out, he will calm down.

I would try food, sippies, toys, you name it. Sometimes it worked, other times it did not.

But I would check the carseat and see if there is something that may be bothering her.

 

Well I put her in her sister's carseat and I got the same result! She is just stubborn and wants to get out! I hope it will get easier when she can communicate better!!