Why do kids like to scream?

The thing is, is that when there’s two of them, if one starts to scream, just for fun, the other one starts too. There they are in the kitchen, smiling their silly little faces off, screaming as loudly as they can. I mean, really loudly. But that’s the game, right? Who can scream the loudest?!

I do faintly remember enjoying screaming when I was a kid from time to time. It sure looks like they are having fun. But HOLY FECK!! Its like nails on the blackboard times ten!

And what do you do about it, really? Start yelling even louder? S T O P  T H A T  S C R E A M I N G !   There can’t be a more futile moment in parenting. And if you start after them, well, then they just take off down the hall, screaming all the way, and you’ve got a grand of game of SCREAM CHASE happening!

Oy vey. It’s all very six year old craziness.

Its times like that when I really have to “go zen” and not get caught up in my own aggravation and be open to other alternatives than shutting down the scream fest. Maybe there’s a better place to scream than others like the back bedroom that’s no attached to the neighbours. The basement? Maybe we could have “scream time” where we practice for next years halloween.

Come to think of it, it might feel good to let off a yawp or two.