I have what I refer to as migraine eyes this morning. Ugh! I also have, starting at 7am, dental appointments for ALL the kids. They will end at 1:45 this afternoon. Wish me luck. Excedrin migraine is flowing through my system, so hopefully I'll dodge the bullet and deal with the usual shakes (I'm a wimp when it comes to caffeine) and not the headache that will eventually come. I hope it at least lessens the severity. I know, wah. Wah. Poor me. Funny that I start off this post whining--no, not funny.
In keeping with parenting ideas, I thought I'd share another. I have a number of things in my children's behaviors that make me crazy--thus the "madhouse," right? One is being ignored, but the other is whining. Really CAN'T STAND it.
A friend mentioned, on facebook, the problem she was having with this (the title of this post is what she referred to it as (I got a good chuckle from that. She's just that kind of cute person), and I really felt for her. SO been there. So, although it was probably not asked for, I gave my advice. Don't you hate it when people do that? She probably groaned when she saw my message, but for anyone who hates whining as much as I do, but wasn't sure how to make it go away, here was my response to her:
Here's the way I've dealt with whining with my kids. Maybe it will help....
Set rules for yourself. "I will respond to you as soon as your voice sounds like mine." Then stick to your rule. If they whine, pretend that they're not there. They may take it up a notch or two, but stick to your guns no matter how crazy it makes you. Even if you have to go lock yourself in the bathroom to keep yourself from responding, do it. They'll catch on, and as soon as they do, go ahead and talk to them.
A day or two of pain is better than weeks, months or years.
Hope it works. Let me know.
Thanks for reading!
6 comments:
I have one child who speaks fluent Whinese. In fact I speak it back to him. NOTHING makes him stop. He only gets louder. I tell him I have the Wambulance on speed dial. I have tried ignoring, punishing and many other creative things. NOPE. This child speaks Whinese. It is just the way it is. I have learned to tune it out. And demand to here his normal voice when he actually wants me to listen. Sometimes that works.. Good luck with your adventure today...
Loved your thoughts on children that whine.
Wishing you well on your day and pray your headache goes away. I do know exactly how you feel with a migraine.
Blessings to you!
UGH!! Those are the two things that I can't stand! Being ignored and whining. It is probably a universal thing.
I literally laughed out loud when I saw the title of this post. I have been meaning to reply to that advice you gave me (and it was DEFINITELY appreciated). I sighed a little bit of relief when I saw the message...no groans here!
So, I've totally been saying that lots lately... "I will listen when your voice sounds like mine." and this morning? That sentence was followed by a deep breath from B, then in a totally normal "big boy" voice I heard him re-ask the question...no whining involved! It was a beautiful thing. These past couple days have definitely been WAY less whining. So...
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, just beware. I might be bugging you for advice a lot more often :)
Oh Kim, I'm so glad it's working. I don't know most things, but whining, I know about. It really has worked with my kids. I'm thankful not to have whiners. I think I'd be one stressed out woman if that one was added back onto my plate.
We share the same two pet peeves. That and kids who simply MUST talk to me while I'm in the bathroom. I love the way you handle this, and I'll try it the next time whining comes up (which fortunately is fading out because they've figured out it just makes for grouchy mommy anyway).
Post a Comment