Don't Let Your Child's Grind On Your Nerves!

Does your little child whine for whatever he wants (to go outside, to have a drink, for you to give a toy) and he is getting on your nerves, driving you crazy and you don't know what to do?

Firstly don't give up! There are a few very easy strategies that you can implement to stop his whining and make your life much more pleasant.

Firstly, make sure that he doesn't have any language problem. Some children whine simply because it is too hard for them to talk!

After you ruled this out, here are two simple but very effective strategies.

1) Just tell him, "Mommy doesn't understand (or hear) whining anymore. If you want something ask for it and I'll do my best to help you. You are a big boy now and you can talk like an adult. If you don't ask for it I won't know what you want so you'll just go without"

The next time he whines just don't react; ignore him (at least put on a facade that you are ignoring him). Or react and say, "I hear some static in the background. I wonder what that noice is saying. If it gets any louder I'll have to put it in his room.

Say all of this very calmly (no matter how much the noice is getting on your nerves).

As long as you stay firm, pretend that you don't hear him, and don't give him what he is whining for (no matter how hard it is for you) he will eventually top his whining and he will begin to speak.

2) Another possible strategy is simply to make some type of reward system every time he asks for something instead of whining for it. For instance, give him an M and M (besides his original request).

Remember, when you give him his reward add a sincere complement, "Johny, it makes mommy so happy to know that are acting and talking like a big boy." This will reinforce the preferred behavior.

Another idea is to put a star on a chart every time your child asks for something instead of whining. When he accumulates , for instance, 10 stars, then you buy him something nicer than an M and M.

Put the chart somewhere where he will see it (tape it on the refrigerator door as opposed to taping it on the inside of a closet door.)

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