My son is having some major temper tantrums and I'm just at a loss...I don't know what to do with him.

January was a really tough month for us, as his father left on the 6th. I am having a hard time adjusting to not having his dad around, so I know he must be confused and probably pretty frustrated not knowing what's going on. We have not moved, my son and I still live in the same place, so no change there. He has been away from me more lately though. Before he was with me all the time and now I have to leave him with family every week to go to the doctor (I'm 28 weeks pregnant). So there have been some big chances for him recently.

I am wondering if these tantrums are acting out or just a phase he's going through. He takes the fits even when nothing is wrong with him...even when he's fed, dry, got a drink in his hand, and toys all around him. He screams when he's told no or doesn't get what he wants. He takes a fit when his diaper is changed or I put clothes on him.

I know he gets plenty of positive attention and reinforcement. When he says "bite" instead of screaming for food, I encourage that and praise him. I sit in the floor and play with him, crawl around after him, etc. most of the day and give him TONS of praise when he does good things.

I can't help but feel like I'm doing something wrong. When he screams for things, I tell him firmly, "No, we don't scream" and tell him the word for whatever he's wanting. The temper tantrums...I just don't know what to do about them.

I try to ignore them and that sometimes works. Should I just be consistent in ignoring them each and every time and see how that works? I know consistency is really important with behavioral issues.

If that doesn't work, should I try time-out? I know he will not sit still in a chair or anything, so I thought maybe I could set the playpen up in the spare bedroom and use that for time-outs. 1 minute per year of age, so for him, that would be 1 minute in the playpen or should I leave him there until he calms down?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

My daughter also had big tantrums I usually found that ignoring them did work most of the time i also used to whisper to her as she was throwing the tantrum of course due to her own screaming she couldn't hear me so she would lower her voice to hear me and eventually before she realized it she was talking calmly. Hope that helps.