Thanks!

[Kimmers]

I just wanted to say thanks for those who suggested using classical music for a calming effect. I have a CD (although not classical musical but close!) of piano music that I often listened to when I was alone since my husband hates that kind of music. After reading the posts about how it calms I decided to bring it along in the car with me since this seems to be when my son is the worst...having to sit still, feeling the need to talk non-stop, and the place he is most capable of letting a temper tantrum go. That first day I had it with me he was really agitated about something and I could tell he was working up to a tantrum. He was becoming defiant and mouthy. I popped the CD in and the rest of our ride home was quiet...he even forgot what he was so mad about! Since then I have used it several times and had the same results.

I just wanted to say thanks for suggesting it...I think this CD will be one of my favorites for more than one reason now.

Kimmers

[dfp]

I don't know how old your son is or if he will tolerate this, but we've had great luck with stories on CD in the car. There are some ones with famous actors reading the stories and my boys find it very soothing. Just yesterday my oldest was having a complete fit in the car and we put in Julie Harris reading Stuart Little and he calmed right down. Also popular with my 5 & 7 year olds is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory read by Eric Idle and the Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe with Michael York. They're so wordy that the boys have to "slow their engines down" and actually listen.

The biggest laugh of all was that we brought the stories & an individual cd player to France with us when we went a year and a half ago, and got complements on how well the children behaved in restaurants (headphones on). MY CHILDREN! (Trouble magnets, totally hyper & out of control in most cases.) It was a hoot, but I was so pleased too.

Glad you found something that worked for you!!

-dfp

[Kimmers]

What an awesome idea! My son loves books on tape and I never, ever thought of using them in the car. This is something I will definitely try!

Thanks again!
Kimmers