Tantrums - Provo,UT

I remember how demanding your first and only child may get at times. Try to initiate some play that she can sit down and do by herself and know you are a short distance away. Try to put half of her toys away and bring out a box once a week and rotate them. This usually keeps them interested in exploring on their own and might change the topic with her not to focus on what shes not getting rather then what she has infront of her. My kids tend to get very bored with what they always see on the top of the toybox and it works great.

When I only had my son it was very diffacult I could never get anything done. He demanded every minute of my attention, good or bad. The earlier you initiate their free play the easier it get's to just walk away when you need to hurry up and do something quickly and return. Maybe get her a push toy that she can use herself to walk along with. They even make them that fold into a toy car in a later stage after they are walking. Make it a game, just be thankful shes not running away from you yet and realizing how fast she can go by herself :) She will for sure realize soon how wonderful it feels to have freedom and to be a big girl!

It's okay for her to express her frustration, but it's got to drive you nuts! And you can find other ways to help her get what she wants (because it's not a bad thing that she wants!)
If you have a thrift store nearby, or have a friend with babies, find a cheap walk-behind toy to buy, or borrow one. My boys had one that converts to a scooter to ride on later. They also had another one that just folds flat and has some things to spin and twirl on the front. It clicks when the wheels turn (which also provides some resistance to slow it down--necessary when your baby has to lean on it to steady herself. Otherwise it goes too fast and she'll fall on her face!) I got one as a hand-me-down and the other for $3 at a thrift store. I have also loaned mine out to friends a few times while their kids were in that stage. BUt let me tell you that if I let them play with them, my kids (now 4 and 2 1/2) would still play with those walker toys. Kids still love to push things around for a long time after they start walking on their own.
The other thing my boys did was to push a kitchen chair around. It keeps them upright and walking! Try showing her how to do that.
Does she cruise a lot? Maybe you could rearrange your furniture for a few weeks so she can get from one piece of furniture to another and walk across the room by herself. You may need to show her how to do that, too.

She's getting closer to the "terrible twos" teaching her sign language maybe a good way to help her understand that the answer is no, as well as giving her a medium to start communicating her wishes to you more effectively. Studies have shown that sign language is a way to reduce tantrums through improved understanding between little ones and parents. Other then that avoid giving into her demands but don't get up-set at her- she's effectively communicating what she wants with you and that's a great sign.

Hi A.,

Not sure if this is something you'd be interested in, but I'm going b/c my daughter has just started throwing huge tantrums too:

Are you frustrated by your child's tantrums and power struggles? Come and hear what parent educators, Robin Goldstein-Lincoln and Karen Alonge have to say about:
What current brain research reveals about impulsivity, emotional reactions and rational thoughts.
Tools for neutralizing and resolving power struggles
Strategies to minimize the frequency and intensity of tantrums.
Thursday, November 20, from 6-8 pm at the Boulder JCC, 3800 Kalmia Ave.

Cost: $27/individual, $40.50/couple Boulder JCC or Moxie Mom members; $30/individual, $45/couple non-members.

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You are smart to not buy into the fit. Let her scream and pitch a fit. It's her way of expressing her frustration however you are right, it is not feasible for you to carry or walk her around all the time. She needs to learn independence and the best way to encourage walking is not to carry them everywhere or always walk with her and get her crawling more. Don't get a walker, she will build up the muscles she needs by crawling, then pulling up on things then walking.

Nothing wrong with her curling up on your lap, however pitching a fit because she doesn't get her way is a whole different story.
Put her in a playpen when she starts having fits and walk away. That is the best discipline at that age is to ignore her and put her away from you.
Teach her by saying "not now", that will eventually allow her to know she isn't going to get what she wants that second. She will understand words by repitition and sooner then she will be able to say words.
Caving in will just encourage her tantrums. Reward the good times with walking her around then.