A parent shares how to handle a child's whining without losing your cool. Instead of reacting harshly, acknowledge the big feeling behind it, ask for a calmer tone, and say you'll listen once they adjust. A simple script that works.
When our child whines, it's like a drill in our head. It causes us to want to lash out and shout, "Stop whining at me!" Or we use a label, "You're so spoilt and ungrateful!" What if we could make ourselves think of whining as an expression of their emotion that they just don't know how to express in another way other than whining? Next time your child whines, just try this: "Ooh, you've got a really strong emotion there. I definitely want to be able to hear what you're saying, 'But I just can't listen to that tone of voice, so you need to try a different tone of voice, and then I'm willing to hear you.' If you struggle with this and would like some more help, just drop 'yes' below and I'll send you a message.
