I thought I was the only one in the world with a whiny 5-year-old. All the other 5-year-olds that I know of are either well-behaved or are total monsters! My elder child is a cross between the two ? most times he's well-behaved and sometimes a total monster. And when he's a monster, mommy turns into an uglier one (blushing in embarrassment).
I don't want this to sound like a "Dear Thelma" article with me doing my whining online and venting it angrily out at readers, about how unfair this world is and how horrid my child is whenever he whines?when in actual fact, I think the problem lies with me. I have a problem with giving him the attention he needs, therefore, he resorts to whining to get my attention.
Does my younger son whine? Not as often as my elder child. My younger son is wiser, he uses a more effective method to get my attention. He would yank my sleeve or part of my clothing up (or any other embarrassing parts of my clothing that reveals undesirable parts of my body) and place hot and wet kisses there! Boy oh boy, you have to give it to the boy for knowing how to get my attention.
Anyway, let me get back to the topic here?.whining.
THE VERY BASICS ABOUT WHY TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS WHINE ::
From a very young age, kids need their parents and rely on adults for everything. And to get those things, he has to learn how to get the adults' attention. As babies, they cry. As toddlers, they cry and kick around. As preschoolers, they whine and complain.
The reason why children and kids whine and put up a fuss is because they want something from you and they feel powerless in obtaining it. If they know how to get your attention, like my younger son, they won't whine. It's only when their calls for help are not answered or if they are not getting their way that their calls rise in pitch, resulting in a whine.
Children whine because they are looking for a response and it could be good response or bad response. They want your attention and if bad attention is the only kind of attention that they capable of getting, they'll take it and figure out how to turn it around after that.
HOW TO DEFINE WHINING TO YOUR WHINING PRESCHOOLER ::
Instead of pointing a finger in their faces (which I have the tendency to do, as well, when I am stressed), try pinpointing their whining. The moment they start whining about something, state very firmly, "You're whining and I can't hear you when you do that. Can you please talk in your normal voice now?" If your preschooler doesn't understand what you're saying, repeat the word 'whining' and then imitate him whining. You'll either end up with a wiser child or you'll both end up rolling on the ground with earth-shaking laughter. Either way, it's good news.
HAVE YOU NOTICED WHEN IT IS THAT YOUR CHILD IS MOST LIKELY TO WHINE? ::
Take a wild guess?..yes, when you're in the middle of something important, trying to concentrate on a game or a television program! It's when you're most occupied with your own things or not focused on them.
RESPOND TO YOUR CHILD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE OR POSITIVELY REDIRECT THEM. ::
The worst thing you can do to a child is to snap at them when they're asking something from you nicely. That's like saying, "Not now. Try whining. I might get angry about it and answer you". Instead, respond to them immediately, as you would any other adults. If you're in the middle of something important, you can always explain to your child as patiently and kindly as you can that you are doing something important. Explain to them that you won't ignore them but if they can wait, they should. Most preschoolers can understand this type of instruction ? they can understand more than we give them credit for.
DON'T JUST SAY 'LATER' TO A WHINING CHILD ::
Later could mean 5 minutes, it could mean 1 hour, gee whiz, it could mean TOMORROW! Give your preschooler a ballpark figure and a realistic length of time that they should expect the wait to be. Once you're done with whatever that is that you're doing, keep your promise.
If he waits it out, offer encouragement, offer congrats, shower praises on him and make him feel like the President of the WORLD for waiting it out so long.
Marsha Maung is a freelance graphic designer and writer who has been working from her home in Selangor, Malaysia the past 6 years. She is the author of "Raising Little Magicians", "No Products to Sell", "The Lance in Freelancing" and other popular books. For more information, please visit http://www.marshamaung.com and for her books, visit http://www.marshamaung.com
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip .."Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More
Do you struggle to get your child to bed at... Read More
Be sure to respect the intellectual changes that mark adolescence.... Read More
No matter how old your children are, you have an... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
Most of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin, Sam Adams,... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
Moms, did you ever question your value as a role... Read More
Just the other day my oldest son asked:"Daddy, am I... Read More
Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More
According to a September 2004 study by the RAND Corporation,... Read More
Many reasons will cause some people to feel the need... Read More
Nurture and TeachThe single most important thing caregivers can do... Read More
Many parents struggle with solutions to put their child on... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
Night Visits From Your ChildIn the middle of the night... Read More
I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness... Read More
Emotional OverloadMany single parents say they deal with a variety... Read More
While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've been traced... Read More
'I felt great until I walked into the classroom -... Read More
Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not... Read More
I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column... Read More
Let's face it: raising children can be quite the adventure.... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
Q. My daughter has gotten very good at manipulating us,... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Teachers know that children thrive in an environment with routines,... Read More
Children do what feels good to them and follow their... Read More
A great many parents are concerned that the electronic games... Read More
Demanding children ? children who have entitlement issues ? seem... Read More
Is your babysitter watching the kids and your k9 family... Read More
Thank you for all that you do in the classroom!... Read More
We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More
Do you have a young child whose weight or eating... Read More
If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical,... Read More
On one of her quarterly visits to see her grandson,... Read More
"My son won't go to bed at night without a... Read More
Once your little boy/girl goes off to school, you may... Read More
Unfortunately each year many young children drown in swimming pools,... Read More
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
For many adults, reading a book or newspaper seems effortless.... Read More
One of the most important aspects of parenting, is ensuring... Read More
Many public schools not only fail to educate our children,... Read More
Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
I recently heard a story that has literally changed the... Read More
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More
When a child wets the bed they worry. Children tend... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
If you're looking for toys that are both fun to... Read More
Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It... Read More
Parenting |