Stop Your Toddler's Whinging & Whining
A whining toddler can drive you up the wall. How can you make it stop?
Like
a mosquito in the room when you're trying to sleep, that whining voice
sets your nerves jangling. Don't give in if you want a peace and quiet.
Why are they whining?
Sick, tired and hungry children whinge. They need attention. Feed them,
cuddle them and care for them. Avoid
unnecessary whinge-triggers, especially in the evening.
Boredom
makes a healthy child whinge and diversion is the best tactic. Half an
hour in the park will usually solve the problem. If it's pouring with
rain, turn the radio on full blast and start dancing. Doing something
completely crazy and out of character will divert your daughter's attention,
so decisively that the whingeing will stop.
Are they aware?
Often children aren't aware that they are whining. Demonstrate what whining sounds like. Exaggerate for effect and then tell her that next time she whines, you'll help her stop. Ask her what you should do; cover your ears? Pull a face? If she decides on the remedy she'll be more likely to accept it.
Anti-whining strategies
Sit your child down and explain that you'll listen to her when she uses her normal voice. If she continues to whine just say, over and over again, 'I'll listen, if you speak in a normal voice'.
Be consistent and firm
If she is whingeing to get your attention, don't give it to her. Walk away and do something else. Hang out the washing or phone a friend. You need to keep calm and in control, so take time out for yourself. Thirty seconds on your own in the garden can work wonders and whinging doesn't sound so bad out of doors.
Be
organised
The more structured her day is, the less opportunity for whingeing there
will be. If she wants sweets, magazines or biscuits every time you visit
the supermarket make it clear to her, before you go in, that you are not
buying them. This works better with older toddlers who can deal with anticipation.
Be firm. You need to show who is in charge.
What's it all about?
How old is your child? 4 yr-olds can be
the worst whingers. They whinge about what they want to wear, eat and
do because they're trying to assert their independence. They're trying
to tell you something. Give them a bit of space to be more grown up and
pick your arguments carefully. Does it really matter if she wants to wear
her Superman outfit every day?
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