Kids whine when they are hungry, tired, bored or if they are sick. But they also whine when they need attention from their parents. Parents tend to worry, and not without good reason, that their children will grow up to be whiners and never be anything less than miserable in their behavior.
Give positive attention to non-whiny behaviors and learn to practice refusals calmly against whiny requests. Your toddlers will eventually understand that they need to ask you properly in a reasonable manner to get what they want.
Here are a few tips to help you maintain a smiling happy child:
Put a face to it: Toddlers are often unaware of what whining is even if they are doing it almost constantly. Show them what it looks like. Record it to make them hear what it sounds like. They will help your children identify whining.
Don’t give in easily: Be consistent in parenting and don’t give in to silly requests when your toddlers are whining. Show them that it doesn’t pay. Otherwise, it may send the wrong impression to the children about the way to get things done and only make things worse.
Structure their day: The more organized your children’s day is, the less likely they are to get bored and restless. The latter often trigger off whining. Keep them busy with interesting activities and games.
Reward good behavior: When your children ask for something nicely or behave well, they should be acknowledged and rewarded for showing signs of maturity.