re: Need Some Serious Advice.

Sounds like he has learned that if he screams he will get his way because he knows you don't want to hear it and will do anything to avoid it. Kids are smart and when they find a way to get their desired results they will.

Quoting coconut derrière .:" <blockquote><b>Quoting (♥ my littles]™:</b>" He doesn't talk a lot and I really ... [snip!] ... to use your words to say what you need.l I can't understand screaming, you're a big boy now" that's how I speak to my daughter"

Do you think placing him in a playpen would be okay for time outs? I don't have stairs inside our apt or really any area that he can sit for a time out

Quoting (♥ my littles]™:" Do you think placing him in a playpen would be okay for time outs? I don't have stairs inside our apt or really any area that he can sit for a time out"

Do you use the playpen for anything else? Nap time? Playtime?

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mylittleone's (B.B.M):</b>" Sounds like he has learned that if he screams he will get his way because he knows you don't want to ... [snip!] ... to hear it and will do anything to avoid it. Kids are smart and when they find a way to get their desired results they will."</blockquote>

Quoting (♥ my littles]™:" How do I keep him in time out? I'm seriously open to trying anything.. I have to admit that I have potched ... [snip!] ... I don't want him to fear me or flinch when he sees my hands.. but I'm at my wit's end and I don't know what else to do!!!!!"

children at that age can understand way more than u think. timeout needs to be a safe place for children that ''flip out'' like that. A porta crib or highchair that has buckles can be a good option for children that refuse to stay in place.
explain to the child why they are in time out ...."u need a time out because its not okay to scream like that when you are not hurt..." etc, let him know his ''time out will be over when he stops the behavior he is being disaplined for.
You need to be strong and just walk away until tantrum is over. When u begin this discipline process the tantrum may get louder and longer untill the child makes the connection between behaving and being let out of time out. The child may scream and cry themselves to sleep or even make themselves vomit. If they fall asleep, leave them where they are untill the wake and then ask them if they are ready to behave when they wake up so they make the connection of the situation to their behavior. if they vomit, wipe them off and let them know that their behavior is the cause for their discomfort. It is all a power struggle and letting the child know they are incharge of the outcome of the situation at hand is important.
Also, NO can be a ''trigger word'' try saying ''not right now'' or setting a time frame....ex. "we are only shopping for groceries today so u you cannot get that toy right now''

Quoting Jennybananna:" Do you use the playpen for anything else? Nap time? Playtime? "

No, we were using it when I was working and he had to sleep at my sister's house but we haven't used it since February for that. Now it's kind of only for when we go to my father in law's and he needs a place to sleep, but that is a handful of times a year

Quoting (♥ my littles]™:" No, we were using it when I was working and he had to sleep at my sister's house but we haven't used ... [snip!] ... Now it's kind of only for when we go to my father in law's and he needs a place to sleep, but that is a handful of times a year"

Then you can try using it. I try to avoid using beds and things of that nature because I dont want them to associate it with a bad thing.

Quoting Jennybananna:" Then you can try using it. I try to avoid using beds and things of that nature because I dont want them to associate it with a bad thing. "

we are going to try it.. i think he has used his pack n play less than 10 times and it has all been when he was too young to even remember

Thank all you ladies for your advice! I really appreciate it

The boys are 18 months old, and when they need "discipline", I sit them in a certain spot in our living room for 1 minute. If they move from that spot before a minute is up, time starts over. It's been working great so far! I don't have to do it often, but when I do, it gets results.