Tell your child that you won't allow whining PDF Print E-mail
Whining irritates nearly every parent. (Teachers aren't crazy about it either!) But sometimes parents accidentally encourage whining. They respond to it, so kids figure they can gain something by trying it again. Keep this in mind as you try to curb the whining.

Here are some tips:

* Model for your child the difference between whining and an appropriate tone.
* Be neutral when your child whines. Sometimes, your lack of a response may be enough to stop her. If she continues, say, "I'm sorry, I don't understand whining. I'll be happy to listen when you can speak in a nice voice."
* Be firm about not granting requests made in a whiny voice.
* Respond quickly when your child remembers an appropriate voice. Say, "What a nice tone of voice. I sure heard that loud and clear!"

Reprinted with permission from the April 2010 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Early Childhood Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2010 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Jim Fay & Charles Fay, Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years, ISBN: 1-930429-00-2 (Love and Logic Press, www.loveandlogic.com).