My 3.5 year old son whines constantly. How do I get him to stop?

**ohsoblue** · 08-18-2010, 05:18 PM

I know that giving in to his whines only make it worse so I don't do this, but sometimes he'll whine nonstop all day long, from "I'm tired" to "I want to watch TV" to "I don't want THAT for dinner" ... everything is whined and sometimes turns into a full blown screaming crying hissy fit. How can I make it stop? It's driving me crazy!

**JillP** · 08-18-2010, 10:18 PM

For toddlers it's all about what gets them the attention they crave. When my son whines, I simply say "I can't understand you when you are whining." and then ignore him completely until he changes his tone of voice, and then I offer lots of praise and encouragement when he speaks in a polite tone of voice. He quickly learns that whining gets him no attention and speaking politely earns him lots of attention. Giving any attention at all to a toddler -- positive OR negative -- is just an open invitation for a repeat performance.

**gazeygoo** · 08-19-2010, 07:20 PM

A equal question might be who did her learn this whining from?

**Jades** · 08-19-2010, 10:22 PM

I agree with the second answer. I tell my 3.5 year old the same thing; "I can't understand you when you whine at me like that. When you're ready to talk to me like a normal person, I'll listen." I usually have to tell him a few times and then he'll talk normal. Make sure you praise him when he talks normal, so that he sees that it pleases you.

**MariahNicole** · 08-19-2010, 10:23 PM

Give him something to whine about,trust me he'll get tired of getting the spanking.You gotta show him boss and don't give in.

**wwefan#1** · 08-20-2010, 04:17 AM

ha you thank you can get him to stop thats funny there is no legal way to get them to stop

**libertytree** · 08-20-2010, 07:19 PM

I'm sure that your irritation is showing. You need to tell him that you can't hear him when he whines or even go so far as to give him warnings for whining, and then implement a time out if he continues to whine.
-Good Luck not going insane

**snowbarbie** · 08-24-2010, 03:24 PM

I used to say "I'm sorry, I can't understand you when you whine - say it properly" - and my kids would say it properly and politely.

Just make sure you don't respond to the whining, and you respond quickly and well when they ask you something without whining.