How to Stop Your Child from Whining All the Time

Kids constantly crying and complaining over everything? Learn how to stop your child from whining all the time — a must-read for parents!

If you’re like me, you dread The Whining Sound. It can catch you off guard first thing in the morning when your child hasn’t even been awake for five minutes. Or you’ve come to expect it at the end of a long, tiring day.

No matter the time of day, whining is one of the behavior triggers that can set me off. I can’t imagine another adult whining to me that way, so it seems even worse when kids resort to it.

At first, the solution seems to be to get in full discipline mode. You ask your child what they’re whining about, tell her to stop, or try to show her a better way to communicate without a whiny voice.

And while this works from time to time, I found other ways to stop whining.

How to stop your child from whining

When your kids whine, complain, or throw temper tantrums, their outward needs tend to be superficial. They whine about not getting the orange lollipop, wanting to go to the playground, or because they need a snack. Talk about nails on a chalkboard.

But while these needs are important to them, they go much deeper than that. Rarely is it really about the lollipop. So, how can you get them to stop whining?

1. Give your child your full attention

Sometimes all a whiny child needs is your positive attention. At times, it can feel like she’s competing against so many factors that keep you away from her. Maybe it’s her siblings that demand your time, or the chores that take up too much of it. Mornings might feel rushed as you scramble to get out of the house.

She also needs your attention after long stretches of time away from you. Imagine that she has a bucket that she likes to keep “full” of you. Any time she gets to spend time with you, her bucket gets filled. When she doesn’t, it runs empty.

The time you spend apart after a long night of sleep or a day at school dips into her bucket. Eleven hours of sleep may not seem like a long time, but to her, it can be.

One effective way to stop whining is to give her your full attention and fill those buckets right up. A full bucket means a child who can handle the small challenges during the day. Fatigue from skipping a nap or hunger before lunch doesn’t seem so stressful.

Giving her your full attention extends beyond whining, too. It can help when she feels a sense of sadness, discomfort, or frustration. The simple act of listening and being present can be all she needs to feel reassured.

Let’s be clear, though: giving your full attention can be hard. You’re busy enough as it is, even doing the bare minimum. Other times, you’re just not in the mood, especially when your child whines.

But ironically, it’s during those times that she needs you the most. And one of the biggest challenges is the need to push those feelings aside with calmness for her best interest.

2. Stop multitasking

Does your child start whining right when you’re preparing dinner or getting her ready for the day? If you can, stop everything else you’re doing and focus on her.

Sometimes, I’m half listening to my kids while wiping the dining table or packing lunches. And for most of the time, this is fine and even necessary. We all multitask during regular chores or everyday conversation.

But if your child needs your attention, try to stop what you’re doing and focus on her. She can sense when you’re not present. The more emotional connection you give, the quicker the whining stops as you address her real needs.

Bonus tip: Praise her the minute she stops whining and uses her regular voice. The positive reinforcement can encourage her to continue the behavior you want to see.

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3. Give your child a time frame

During after school hours, you’ll usually find me in the kitchen, preparing dinner. And while some of those dinners are “set it and forget it,” others need me standing right next to the stove. I’d have no way to give my full attention when I’m going back and forth stirring risotto or deep frying chicken.

So instead, I give my kids a time frame. I let them know I’ll be available in five minutes. And even then, I also explain I’ll still have to run back to the kitchen periodically.

Other times, your child might need to wait longer. You could be driving and can’t give him your full attention until you’ve parked. You also don’t have to drop everything right this moment, so let him know when you plan to. That way, he knows you’ll be with him as soon as it’s possible.

Get more tips on how to stop your toddler whining.

4. Listen and make eye contact

Part of giving your child your full attention means really listening to what she has to say. I had always assumed I listened to my kids pretty well, but only in thinking back to recent conversations did I realize I could do better. Here’s how:

First, make eye contact. This simple act forces you to stop doing what you’re doing to focus on your child. It’s pretty hard to put groceries away when you have to look her in the eye. When you’re forced to lock gazes, you’re more likely to listen than multi-task. Kneel to her level if need be.
Then, don’t interrupt. A good rule of thumb is to wait a few seconds before she finishes talking before saying anything. This ensures she’s done speaking and forces you to be more mindful about the words you say.
And once you do speak, don’t judge or speak harshly. Yes, she could be whining, but it’s during these times that she needs the most compassion. Listen without judgment or saying what you think about her situation. Instead, repeat what she was whining about and help her resolve her issues.

You might say, “It sounds like you feel upset because you can’t find the toy you were playing with earlier. Would you like me to help you find it?”

Learn how to be a mindful parent.

5. Give your child a warm hug

Sometimes all your child needs has nothing to do with words, or even your help with getting something done. All she needs is a place to crumble, to feel vulnerable yet safe with her emotions.

When my kids are in their worst moods, I find I’m able to stop or even prevent further whining by taking deep breaths and giving them a big hug. It’s amazing how their moods change. Yes, they might collapse in a heap of tears and cry louder, but only for a little while.

With a close connection, they can feel heard and acknowledged and can soon feel better.

Learn how to give your kids attention, even when they all want it at the same time.

Conclusion

It’s tempting to roll our eyes at the thought of giving kids our full attention as a go-to move. We’re tight with time as it is, and it’s hard to step away from our own frustration and impatience.

But giving your child your full attention can stop the whining quickly. How? Stop multitasking so you can direct all your attention to her. If you can’t, give her a time frame so she knows when you’ll be done.

When you’re ready for her, listen and make eye contact. And sometimes, all she needs is a hug and cuddle from you—a place to feel vulnerable and safe.

So yes, it may be more work upfront, but you can give her quality time when she needs it most.

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