Thread: What's a technique to stop someone from complaining all the time?

An elderly relative lives with me and is full of negative comments 24/7!

Her complaints make her depressing to be around, and as a result many family members avoid her. (which is another source of complaint!)

How can I make her stop?

Bring your iPod everywhere you go, ESPECIALLY with the old person around. The best is really to show you don't give a damn about their complaints.

Being a relative makes this harder to deal with.

I have to believe that complaining in a formal way is different then what you are talking about. There are, "legal complaints" and "written complaints" etc...


Now this is what I do and it has seemed to work for me.

I have said to many people many times;

"Did complaining about it change anything?"

When they say: "No"
You reply: "Then either do something about it or be quiet."

Remind Her Of What Good Things She Has In Her Life Andt Hat There Are People Much Worse Off Than Her That Have Somethnig To Complain About.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my grandmother is the same way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i just give her a taste of her own medicine so to speak.
when she is negative to you be negative back, for example.

my grandmother: well dont you look happy (being sarcastic and pulling a face)
me: well dont you look young (being sarcastic as well)

or just avoid them, that works too.

agree with anything they say.

also be very nice and polite, you'll frustrate them so much they wont bother even complaining anymore