I feel like I'm losing it. *half rant/ advice*

I've been a single mom since August of 2012...
Since then my son has reached his terrible twos point (hes 2.5) and I dont know how I'm going to do this anymore. I have generalized anxiety disorder so I know that contributes to my stress.
Every day if he isnt watching TV then he is screaming to watch tv.
He will scream for upwards of a half hour at the top of his lungs, making himself throw up, popping his butt or putting him in the corner does nothing to stop it (I used to be anti spanking but it reached the point where I was willing to try anything).
We live in an apartment and although the entire building has young kids I'm literally afraid that one day a neighbor will call the police with the way that he screams as if someone is beating him.

Once night rolls around bedtime is hell and has driven to tears, begging him to stop crying. He wont go to sleep without a sippy cup (I'm fine with that for the most part) once he finishes his cup he will ask for another...I tell him no and its back to screaming like someone is killing him. He still wakes up in the middle of the night and will do the same thing, screaming for more than one sippy cup.

I get breaks. He either goes to his dads or to my parents house every weekend so its not like I need a break. I feel so horrible because sometimes I think I just cant do this alone and we would both be better off if he stayed with my family or his dad for a couple months but my guilt would be tremendous.

I just dont know what to do anymore everyday is becoming hell and I dont know how to handle it.

I don't really have any advice, but I'm sure the break up has stressed him out, too. I'm sorry, I hope things get better for you.

I'd stop catering to him.

Jack has screaming fits sometimes too and idgaf if someone calls the police on me, I'm ignoring that bullsmurf. What are the police gonna find? A sad little boy who simply doesn't want to go to sleep.

Why dont you take him to the park/mall to walk around if weathers bad..Make up games at home and do new activities. Play dough, painting, get some old boxes for him to play in(imagination). Read to him, play some music...Get him interested in something other then TV.

He's too old to be having a sippy cup at night. Cut it off. I know it's hard when they whine & yell & scream for things, but giving in isn't teaching him anything either. T.V. should only be an hour or so a day. Is he bored maybe? Do you leave your apt often & do other things like go to the park, playdates, etc?

You giving in is NOT going to fix things. He's learned that if he screams/cries long/hard enough, you'll give in.

Even tho he's only 2.5, he's old enough to know the rules. TV on for a se amount of time only. When that time is up, it's turned off (yes, this might mean you miss some shows bu you'll survive). Take him outside, do a craft, play a game, get him busy doing something else so he's not thinking about TV. If it was on for "background noise", turn on the radio or a CD instead.

As far as bedtime, set a routine so he knows what to expect. My kids get a water bottle at bed. For my oldest, when it's gone it's gone but for my youngest I'll refill it once (she has kidney issues and we need her to drink as much fluids as possible).

It may get worse before it gets better but do you want him acting like this when he 5, 8, a teenager?! Because if you don't stop it NOW you WON'T be able to stop it when he's older.

Good luck!

Thank you guys I'll take your suggestions. I just feel so alone in this because nobody sees what I go through on a daily basis and it literally drives me to tears.

Quoting Carters Mama:" Thank you guys I'll take your suggestions. I just feel so alone in this because nobody sees what I go through on a daily basis and it literally drives me to tears. "

I'm sorry, it really is hard. Damn kids & their terrible 2s   well, mine was terrible at 3 lol but yea...

Quoting £egendary £ex [86%]:" I'm sorry, it really is hard. Damn kids & their terrible 2s   well, mine was terrible at 3 lol but yea..."

Smh its just got increasingly worse since about 3 months before he turned 2 and now (hopefullyyy) its at its peak. Hes finally asleep thought so I'm going to take a bath and listen to spoken word lol I need a mental health night.

Quoting Carters Mama:" Smh its just got increasingly worse since about 3 months before he turned 2 and now (hopefullyyy) its ... [snip!] ... at its peak. Hes finally asleep thought so I'm going to take a bath and listen to spoken word lol I need a mental health night."

good, that sounds nice  

Quoting Carters Mama:" Thank you guys I'll take your suggestions. I just feel so alone in this because nobody sees what I go through on a daily basis and it literally drives me to tears. "

mental health breaks are good. mine are 7 and 4 and there are days i still struggle with being tough on them. DD has some special needs and I sometimes give in to her more than I should and she's becoming a beast. I've been working hard at reminding my kids that I'm their parent, NOT their friend