How do you handle....

[KSMom]

Hi Everyone - I'm happy to have this forum too!!

It used to be so easy to say no to the boys and move on to the next activity but lately I'm having a hard time with the persistence. Especially with S - if he wants something, I will say no, you can't have that, its dangerous (or whatever). He will keep saying "But I want it" in a really whiney voice and he absolutely won't give up. I end up so frustrated. (but rarely, if ever do I give in) however I do end up yelling which I hate. So my question to you smart ladies is how do you handle this:
1) Say no once and ignore the whiney persistence
2) Say no, stop whining and if he continues, put him in a time out for the whining?

thanks
Melissa

[Larkynsmommy]

My one twin really whines ALOT. He drives us crazy!!!!:stress: I keep telling him I do not understand the way he is talking and force him to talk in a normal tone. It usually works but at the end of the day when we are tired sometimes it doesn't. I usually do put him in time out, I make him aware of how he is talking and tell him to talk normal.

[catarina]

My one twin really whines ALOT. He drives us crazy!!!!:stress: I keep telling him I do not understand the way he is talking and force him to talk in a normal tone. It usually works but at the end of the day when we are tired sometimes it doesn't. I usually do put him in time out, I make him aware of how he is talking and tell him to talk normal.

Ah, we have a whiner too! We do the same thing as stated above including the time outs.

[Kim-mom2MnEm]

I just wanted to add it's an age thing unfortunately. As long as you are consistant - they will eventually get the point. I know how hard it is to not scream at them to just cut it out!

If you never had a whiner when they were babies - they'll make up for it when they are 3 and/or 4. ;) Sorry. Hang in there!

[KSMom]

thanks guys - these responses are helpful. I agree Kim that it is the age. I found 2 a piece of cake but 3 sure has been the hardest so far!!! I'm hoping that 4 will be a little better.

[helene1108]

I agree that the 3 yr old stage seems to be much more challenging than the 2 yr old stage!!

[Steph211]

Me too, age two was a breeze! The three's were tough. On Monday, we'll get our first official taste of the four's. Yikes!

For whining I usually just say in a pleasant tone, "I'm sorry, I can't understand you. Could you please use your big boy/girl voice?" I've also imitated their whining to show them how ridiculous and awful it sounds. I don't do it in a mocking way, but just to show them the difference. Then I say what they are saying in a nice way. Usually they laugh and we move on.

If they persist with whining for something ignore it. It really tries my patience but I"ve found it effective. If I say no to something once, that should be it, right? :lmao: Well, that's the goal anyway. :)