Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Whining
DESCRIPTION
The whining child keeps asking and bugging you to do
something you've told him he can't do. He may want an extra
snack or to go outside after dark. Usually his voice is
high-pitched and irritating.
Whining is a low-grade type of temper tantrum. You must
teach your child that whining never works. Dealing with
whining now is important for preventing complaining behavior
in adults.
COPING WITH WHINING
- Tell your child what you expect: "I can't understand you
when you're whining. Come back to me when you can talk
in your normal voice."
- If whining continues, ignore your child completely. No
eye contact and no conversation. Don't try to reason
with your child. If necessary, go to a different room.
- If the whining is loud or nerve-wracking, tell your child
to take a 3-minute time-out in the "whining chair." The
chair should be situated somewhere boring and at the
other end of the house from you.
- Give your child lots of positive attention when he's not
whining.
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