Please know that this is pretty normal behavior. It sounds like your child might be overwhelmed (be it from a combination of fatigue and new experiences, so much time spent in crowds, or other), and in a relatively pre-verbal* child, screaming is a way to not only release stress but to call attention to the need the child has for other (I need to run around, I need to nap, I need to eat, I need some peace and quiet! Whatever other is.)

I'm not recommending this, but if you were to take a day off from vacationing, and stay in/near your hotel (the room, the lobby, some exercize in an empty corridor, a little stroll in the park, etc.) you might notice a fairly different kid! Vacations are a luxury, so just trust me on this.

During these episodes, he's clearly frustrated and admittedly, I'm not at my own personal best -- I usually feel mortified and immediately aware of the inconvenience (or perceived inconvenience) this may be causing others. I realize that's not the best perspective and am trying to work on that. I wish I could just shut the world out and deal with my son one-on-one.

Almost every parent has felt the way you do when their child is acting up. It's great that you recognize how much it stresses you out, but it's even more stressful for your son. Yes, you'll get a few looks, but forget about it. The people giving you looks screamed as toddlers, too (they just don't remember it.) If they were lucky, they had a loving and understanding parent like you; if they weren't, they got spanked for a perfectly normal and natural behavior.

If you're distressed at his public outbursts, make them less public by removing yourself to a secluded place where you can interact with your child without guilt/judgement. But don't discipline your son. He's too young just yet to benefit from a time out or a consequence.

What he's not too young for is starting to learn feeling words. A rich emotional vocabulary is a great gift to give your child. Name his emotions while you deal with them. It might feel silly to mention "frustrated" to such a young child, so break it down for him:

Frustrated is the feeling you have when you want something and you can't have it. Like if you want to walk around alone but you can't because it's not safe. It's ok to feel frustrated, or sad, or tired, or mad even. But it's better to feel happy. Would a hug make you happy? Or a little story or a song? What would you like that might make you feel happier? Can you tell me?

Not only are you teaching your child about feelings and how to express himself, but you're validating his feelings, which is priceless.

_{By preverbal here, I mean an inability to express needs, desires and emotions in words or motions.}

Please know that this is pretty normal behavior. It sounds like your child might be overwhelmed (be it from a combination of fatigue and new experiences, so much time spent in crowds, or other), and in someone that age, screaming is a way to not only release stress but to call attention to the need the child has for other (I need to run around, I need to nap, I need to eat, I need some peace and quiet! Whatever other is.)

I'm not recommending this, but if you were to take a day off from vacationing, and stay in/near your hotel (the room, the lobby, some exercize in an empty corridor, a little stroll in the park, etc.) you might notice a fairly different kid!

During these episodes, he's clearly frustrated and admittedly, I'm not at my own personal best -- I usually feel mortified and immediately aware of the inconvenience (or perceived inconvenience) this may be causing others. I realize that's not the best perspective and am trying to work on that. I wish I could just shut the world out and deal with my son one-on-one.

Almost every parent has felt the way you do when their child is acting up. It's great that you recognize how much it stresses you out, but it's even more stressful for your son. Yes, you'll get a few looks, but forget about it. The people giving you looks screamed as toddlers, too (they just don't remember it.) If they were lucky, they had a loving and understanding parent like you; if they weren't, they got spanked for a perfectly normal and natural behavior.

If you're distressed at his public outbursts, make them less public by removing yourself to a secluded place where you can interact with your child without guilt/judgement. But don't discipline your son. He's too young just yet to benefit from a time out or a consequence.

What he's not too young for is starting to learn feeling words. A rich emotional vocabulary is a great gift to give your child. Name his emotions while you deal with them. It might feel silly to mention "frustrated" to such a young child, so break it down for him:

'Frustrated' is how I feel when I want something but I can't have it. Maybe you feel frustrated when you want to walk around alone but you can't because it's not safe. It's ok to feel frustrated, or sad, or tired, or mad even. But it's better to feel happy. Would a hug make you happy? Or a little story or a song? What would you like that might make you feel happier? Can you tell me?

You might feel awkward talking to your child this way, but your child understands more than he can verbalize. He'll catch on to some of it, and you're speaking soothingly. It gives you something to do while your adrenaline level goes down.

Not only are you teaching your child about feelings and how to express himself, but you're paying attention to his feelings, which is priceless.