Whining – what to do about it!

Kids whine when they are hungry, tired, bored or if they are
sick. But they also whine when they need attention from their parents. Parents tend to worry, and
not without good reason, that their children will grow up to be whiners and never be anything less
than miserable in their behavior.

Give positive attention to non-whiny behaviors and learn to
practice refusals calmly against whiny requests. Your toddlers will eventually understand that they
need to ask you properly in a reasonable manner to get what they want.

Here are a few tips to
help you maintain a smiling happy child:

Put a face to
it: Toddlers are often unaware of what whining is even if they are doing it almost
constantly. Show them what it looks like. Record it to make them hear what it sounds like. They will
help your children identify whining.

Don’t give in
easily: Be consistent in parenting and don’t give in to silly requests when your toddlers are
whining. Show them that it doesn’t pay. Otherwise, it may send the wrong impression to the children
about the way to get things done and only make things worse.

Structure their day: The more organized your children’s day is, the less likely they
are to get bored and restless. The latter often trigger off whining. Keep them busy with interesting
activities and games.

Reward good behavior: When your
children ask for something nicely or behave well, they should be acknowledged and rewarded for
showing signs of maturity.