Recently, a list member asked for help dealing with whining kids. Here are the replies.
Summary of Answers and Suggestions for the "Whinies" (wasn't that a SNL skit?)
Thank you to everyone who responded to our post! I have compiled a list since I got so many responses and it seems to be a pretty common problem.
First determine the causes
- Are they sick?
- Is this a phase?
- Are they teething?
- Is it boredom?
- Are they getting enough sleep?
- Are you the parent stressed out? (I think in our case the kids were feeling our stress)
Solutions
- Remember "This too shall pass" (Thank you; this is one we need to keep us sane)
- Keep them VERY busy
- Tire them out so they take longer naps
- Make sure they are not hungry or thirsty - small snacks during the day
- Consistent nap times/routines
- Rotation of toys, so they don't get bored
- Things to explore
- Ignore the whine/get ear plugs (she was kidding about the earplugs, but sometimes....)
- Distract, distract, distract
- Sometimes it is hard to get the kids to stop once they have started. Get them to take a deep breath and blow it out, and then try again. This seems to help relax the throat and make it easier for them to use a nicer voice.
- Our son John whines a lot. (It doesn't help that his voice is kind of
soft and high, anyway.) We taught him to use his "John" voice
(regular) when he started whining.
More Specific Suggestions/Distraction-Exploring Techniques
- Water, water, water
- Take them outside to play
- Look them eye to eye and explain that you can't understand what they are asking for, to stop whining so you can understand
- Work with them on how to ask for things, then plenty of praise and hugs
- When they want something and don't like your response then repeat your answer and ignore or distract them
- Find a play group, part-time day care, local group with volunteers, or a babysitter to give parent a break
- Music
- Music videos or age appropriate videos (Wiggles, Barney, Kiki's Flying delivery service, were a few mentioned)
- Hide some favorite toys to bring out in "emergencies" (they noted to be sure the kids don't see where you hide them)
- Box of multicolored uncooked pasta noodles
- Let them help water the plants or lawn
- Ice cubes in a cup
- Band-Aids/stickers on arms or legs
- Use a massager on legs and feet
- Take them to a park or indoor play area
- Kiddie pool or baby pool
- Climbing cube
- Musical toys
- Pull toys
- Boxes with lots of little drawers
- Go to a big field/park and let them chase a ball
- Peek-a-boo or sing songs
- Dry beans in a kiddie pool (be sure they are a size they can't choke on)
- Did I mention taking them outside?????
- Did I mention water???? Bathtub or kiddie pool
I hope these help some of you other parents with whiney kids!!
Amy
Toddler Activities |
Twins List FAQs
Twins List FAQs: http://www.twinslist.org Copyright © 2002 Mary Foley
All Rights Reserved
Permision to reprint all FAQ information is granted to individuals for private use.
Please contact twinfaqs@yahoo.com regarding any other reprint permissions.