WHAT ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO DEAL WITH YOUR CHILD’S WHINING?

Written by Feba Maryann 

You said “No” to a toy, an additional slice of pizza, or literally anything and as if you turned on a switch, the whining begins. Whining is an attempt to get your attention, and it certainly gets the job done like nails on a chalkboard. An annoying amalgam of screams, crying and talking- whining is an effective and powerful weapon in your child’s arsenal that forces you into submission. Whining is a fairly common behavioural issue seen in children, but without proper intervention the whining can get worse and even impact your child’s adulthood. 

To deal with your child’s exigent whining, it is paramount that you understand why your child is whining.  

Why Do Kids Whine? 

Kids may whine for numerous reasons but at the centre of this lies a need to be heard and understood. They do not whine intentionally to irritate you and get what they want, but rather because they do not know any other means to get your attention. 

Being a parent is not easy, you have to juggle between a million things from daybreak to bed every single day. In this busy schedule your child may sometimes feel neglected or wanting attention and this may be a reason for their tantrums. 

Whining may also be due to an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed.  

Tips To Deal with Your Child’s Whining 

Do Not Give In 

Be a resolute parent and do not give in to whining. Children will continue whining only if it works for them, the more you give in to their needs, the more they’ll use whining as a way to get whatever they want. 

Do the things that soothe you, like listening to music, taking deep breaths or leaving the room. But whatever you do, do not let your frustration and anger get the better of you. Whining children can be extremely irritating and annoying, but you have to stay strong ese.! 

Do Not Pay Attention 

Refusing to give attention goes a long way when it comes to handling whining. For setting up a set of ground rules are necessary. Let your child know in advance that you will not entertain whining.  Telling them “Ask nicely or I will not respond” will serve this purpose. 

Ensure you follow through. After setting the rules you must not hold back. As soon as your child starts whining, ignore them. This works best in cases where you supply your child with enough positive attention. If they turn to their normal voices respond immediately and pleasantly. 

Be Proactive 

Figuring out patterns in your child’s behaviour will help you be prepared for what is to come. Make a plan, and work on it in an effort to not scramble at the last moment.  

For example, say your child starts whining whenever you ask them to pick up their toys after playtime. So, the next day you can plan ahead for this scenario and follow the best course of action. 

Spend Quality Time with Your Child 

Your child may be using whining as a means to get your attention. So, when you proactively give positive attention to your child, your child will tend not to resort to whining as a way to get your attention.  

Studies show that children tend to be more whiny when they grow up in a negative family environment. When parents display negative behaviours, effects are quite often seen in the children. 

Try to spend at least 10 to 15 minutes of quality time with your child every day. When your child displays positive behaviour, praise them and encourage them to do the same in the future.  

Seeking Professional Help 

If your child’s whining becomes too frequent that it hampers his ability to perform any task, you should seek professional help. Your paediatrician will help assess the problem and figure out any underlying problems.  

Final Thoughts 

Your child may be whining without realising the difference between whining and a normal voice, ensure that you teach them the difference. Do not try to intimidate them in order to make them stop whining. Rather try to figure out the underlying healthy needs like positivity, attention or power that may cause your child to whine. 

By refusing to give in, ignoring whining altogether and being proactive you should be able to reduce your child’s whining to a minimum. Teaching your child to cope with their emotions and handling rejection will also prove to be fruitful.