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What’s The Whining All About?

I don’t know about you but I can’t stand whining. I would rather my children fall out in the floor in a full fledged tantrum than listen to whining.

I guess most children go through this phase. It usually ramps up between 7 and 9 years old.

So, what’s all this whining about?

I really think the kids have decided that they are too old to throw a tantrum and too lazy to really bring themselves to tears. Whining is just right. It doesn’t require to much energy and kids know it irritates the cr*p out of parents.

Now that it has started, how do I get it to stop?

I think that stopping whining requires more patience than potty training. You have to have a game plan and stick to it. I know, easier said than done. You have to be prepared to stop whatever you are doing and address the whining issue.

I can just about bet that it will usually take place while you are on the phone. Kids have super radar. I can be with my kids for 8 hours straight and they won’t ask for anything. Just as I have dialed the number and the person on the other end answers, here come the kids. Whining!

Your game plan should involve a “zero tolerance” policy. Under no circumstances do you give in to the whining. Tell your children that they will absolutely NOT get what they want if they whine. If they have a hard time trying to remember how to speak without whining, then imitate how you want them to speak.

Eventually, the kids will get over this phase and move on to the next. Don’t sigh too loudly when it’s over. Remember, their radar is better than the CIA.