Whiners

Did you ever see the movie "The Kid" with Bruce Willis? In the movie, Bruce Willis uses a phrase when people cry or whine that strikes me as humorous. He says "Wah, wah, let me call you a wambulance." You have to say this in a whiny voice and imaging Bruce saying it. Okay, maybe it's not that funny but it makes me smile.

These are things parents think about. How to make my kid stop that infernal whining. I saw a child today have an entire conversation with her mother, all in "whine". The mother kept talking to her like it was an okay thing that her daughter was speaking in that high pitched, sing-song complaining voice. Mom kept trying to reason with her and daughter kept whining. It was amazing to see (and hear).

What's a parent to do? My sister likes to politely say, "Oh, how sad, but I don't understand whine". This is pretty effective for her. The point is that you must do something to change the behavior. Taking action on or even listening to the whining encourages this behavior. So, if you like to hear whining, then keep on listening. If you would like to stop the behavior, you must take proactive steps such as not listening (and telling your child you are not listening) and rewarding non-whining by listening and responding positively.

Take note, if you don't take steps to stop the whining when they are young, you will soon be living with a whiny teenager. Who'll need a "wambulance" then?
Kathy