Fill in the blank: whining is_______
....like nails on a chalk board
....a great way to get attention
....a child's demonstration of his persistence skills
Whining happens when a child...
is frustrated
is anxious
is tired
is hungry
wants attention
is testing the limits
learns that its an effective way to get what he wants
What to do when whining happens to you:
* Ignore it
* Actively ignore it: ("I really wish Lizzy would talk in a regular voice so I can understand her")
* Teach more effective communication skills: (Mommy, may I please have a snack")
* Use gentle reminders: ("as soon as you talks in a regular voice, I can help you")
These suggestions work, but my favorite and most effective is to turn it into a game. A lot of difficult parenting moments and power struggles can be diffused with games and humor. When my son is whining, I often play a game where I pretend he has lost his voice and I go on and on hunting for it around the house until he starts giggling and he points to his throat and says, " it is right here", in the most calm, angelic, non-whiny voice that shifts the mood dramatically.
What are your tricks for ceasing the whining?
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