• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

sloely

enjoying life slowed down

  • clutter free
  • simply frugal
  • natural remedies
  • grow your own
  • non toxic living
  • Simple Parenting

Stop Kids Whining

July 3, 2017 by Alice 7 Comments

How To Stop Kids Whining & Whinging
How To Stop Kids Whining

You’ve been looking forward to it so much.

The weekend. The holiday. The chance to chill out at home. Or get out and have an adventure and actually enjoy family life together.

But before you know it, the kids are grumbling and moaning AND whining!

And we’re yelling back!

Because we can’t believe they can be so ungrateful. And because we’re mad they’ve ruined the time we so wanted to be special.

And just because there is something soooo infuriating about kids whining. Because, somehow, kids whining presses our buttons as parents and pushes us to out of control angry like nothing else we know!

So why do kids do it?

And is there any way we can stop our kids whining? Or is it just part and parcel of parenting? Payback from our parents for all the whining we did!!

Well, yes of course kids have always whined at their parents. And always will – it’s a sure fire way of getting adult attention – but our kids’ endless whining and grumbling and complaining is actually a symptom of a bigger problem that’s been dumped on their generation.

The thing is, they are probably both the most over indulged and materially spoilt generation of kids yet. But also the most neglected. It’s this bizarre bind that is behind the vast majority of our kids moaning.

So when we’re exploding at their ingratitude – don’t they know how lucky they are!!? – we need to try and hear their heartfelt cry of help and help them escape the shackles of over indulgent-neglect.

That all sounds a bit over dramatic doesn’t it? But the good news I’ve got for you here three really simple ways we can help our kids to stop whining and complaining and actually enjoy childhood a whole lot more.

I really hope they help you help your kids to stop whining and complaining. Do let me know how you get on. And for more simple parenting tips follow me on Pinterest and check out my other posts.

Why Kids Whine

OK. I want you to take a minute and do something for me.

Ready?

Right … REMEMBER  a time you saw and heard a tethered dog whining.

It could be in a yard. In a car. At the stores.

Remember how it sounded?

Frustrated? Confused? Self pitying? Angry? Pathetic? Helpless?

Remarkably like our kids when they’re whining, huh?

And NO we don’t all tie our kids up.

BUT they ARE tethered most of their day.

They’re stuck in school or childcare or a club or a home they’re not allowed out of because it’s dangerous on the streets.

Or at best a small garden.

They’re almost NEVER out of sight of adults.

And have NO opportunities to push the physical boundaries of the world in which they live.

And THAT is what kids are meant to do.

Roaming over a wider and wider space is how they learn independence.

And there is NO other way they can truly grow up.

They NEED the freedom to explore their world for themselves.

And without it, they will – like the tethered dog – whine endlessly for the attention we’re NOT giving them BECAUSE we’re hectically busy on our phones and laptops and the rest.

So how on earth can we help?

How can we give our children their freedom back in a busy world full of cars? AND give them those dollops of genuine attention that give them the security to roam when they have a chance?

Well these are the 3 tricks I rely on.

We can’t do them every day.

But we fit them in as much as we can at the weekend or a night after school and lots more in the holidays …

3 Tricks To Stop Kids Whining

1. Breakfast In The Park

So the first trick to stop kids whining is breakfast in the park.

You what? Yep, seriously.

Forget showers. And teeth brushing. And hair tugging.

The minute you’re all up, get out of the house.

Just grab some toast. Some fruit.

Chocolate croissants a go go if you want.

AND a flask of coffee!

And hit the park.

Take a ball. Take a book. Take the dog.

But LEAVE your phone at home!

And for one hour – two if you’ve got it – give your kids, your undivided attention.

FREE from all the stuff that needs doing round the house.

FREE from those oh-so-urgent – really? – work e-mails and phone calls and messages.

And FREE from all that sneaky skulking on social media.

Because the strange thing about kids lives today is they’re never left alone.

BUT when we’re with them we’re NOT there!

Mentally we’re somewhere else – work, worries, Facebook, wherever – and they know it.

So often, kids whining is just a cry for attention.

They can’t get it any other way.

So they whine.

A big blast of in-their-face you time – a real connection – first thing sets kids up for the day.

And leaves them quite happy to roam …

… AND explore

… AND run free

… AND do their own thing

… AND be left alone!

So we can then get the work and the whatever done.

Stop kids whining - these simple positive parenting tips provide families with effective techniques to help children stop whining whether toddlers and preschoolers or teenagers. The article includes 3 simple activities that build children’s independence and are a long term solution to raising grateful and thankful kids who don’t whine! #whining #positiveparenting #parentingtips #parentingsolutions #kids #independence #gratitude #teens #preschoolers

PLUS the double whammy of the whole family getting outside first thing is we all sleep better.

Cos’ all that daylight actually resets our body clocks.

2. Hit The Woods

My second trick to stop kids whining is to hit the woods.

“What if we live in the city!?” you scream.

Well, yeah it’s a bit harder.

But even here in central London we’re only half an hour from big woods.

And the thing about woods, is they give our kids freedom.

A freedom they just don’t get any longer, most of the time.

Woods let kids run and climb and build and hide and imagine and explore.

They let them connect with the world

The real world. The beautiful, physical, mysterious, dangerous world.

And that gives them a freedom to express themselves in a big, bold way.

That the sanitised safety boxes of homes and schools, and the anxst-ridden artificial world of the screen, never can.

And you know what?

When kids are being big and bold.

And designing dens.

And conquering great heights.

And bridging streams.

And chasing squirrels.

And fighting dragons.

And opening conkers.

And munching blackberries.

They NEVER whine.

A positive parenting solution that helps kids stop whining by building their independence and self-confidence. These simple parenting tips and activities help families raise grateful children who don’t whine. #parentingtips #whining #parentinghacks #selfconfidence #families #gratitude #independence #kids #parentingsolutions

And, yeah, you can’t go to the woods every day.

But once a month at the weekend.

Or every week in the holidays.

An afternoon in the woods – a big dollop of freedom – helps them connect with themselves in a way that seems to keep them going for days and days after.

And stops them whining.

OK, so now you’ve got two tricks to stop your kids whining.

Onto the final one.

And it’s a bit controversial.

Because my third trick to stop your kids whining is to ditch the car!

3. Ditch The Car

You what! Are you crazy?

My kids whine if they have to walk anywhere, you shout!

Maybe.

But strapping kids into the car and driving for hours is guaranteed to make all kids whine.

Big time!

And not surprisingly.

They get NO positive attention from us because we’re driving.

Have NO freedom to move around so they’re bursting with restless energy.

And have NO control over – or responsibility for – the journey.

And you know what? These are enough to make anyone whine.

If you go on the bus, you can actually talk to kids face to face.

If you go on the train, you can read Harry Potter.

Or play endless rounds of Uno.

And if you scoot or bike, kids can burn off all their natural energy.

And look at stuff. And notice stuff OUTSIDE their protective bubble.

Whilst getting places fast.

As every kid I know, can actually break the land-speed record on their scooter!

PLUS – and this is a biggy – they can actually help with the journey.

They can carry stuff. They can find the platform.

They can read the map.

And the funny thing is, when things go wrong – as they do – they get the chance to step up.

So go on ditch the car.

Even one car free day a week gives our children some precious freedom back.

AND seriously helps them stop whining.

I really hope these simple tricks help to stop your kids whining.

Let me know how you get on.

Stop kids whining - these simple positive parenting tips provide families with effective techniques to help children stop whining whether toddlers and preschoolers or teenagers. The article includes 3 simple activities that build children’s independence and are a long term solution to raising grateful and thankful kids who don’t whine! #whining #positiveparenting #parentingtips #parentingsolutions #kids #independence #gratitude #teens #preschoolers
A positive parenting solution that helps kids stop whining by building their independence and self-confidence. These simple parenting tips and activities help families raise grateful children who don’t whine. #parentingtips #whining #parentinghacks #selfconfidence #families #gratitude #independence #kids #parentingsolutions

Filed Under: Slow Parenting

Previous Post: « Simple Declutter Tips
Next Post: 10 Quick Fix Meals »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laverne says

    May 26, 2022 at 8:46 am

    My advice is to give them two choices. One positive, one negative. If they then don’t do want you want, remind them it was their choice. They are allowed to change their mind! Praise them for making a good choice if they do. Gives them ownership and takes pressure off the adult. This Works!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Outdoor Fun Ideas says:
    July 23, 2017 at 8:19 am

    […] before you know it, the kids are whinging and you’re […]

    Reply
  2. Rainy Days In London With Kids says:
    July 27, 2017 at 2:07 am

    […] to see who can whinge and yell the […]

    Reply
  3. Rainy Day Ideas says:
    November 10, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    […] And the whinging. […]

    Reply
  4. Summer Hacks says:
    April 27, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    […] before you know it, the kids are whinging and you’re […]

    Reply
  5. Habits of Good Enough Parents says:
    September 14, 2018 at 5:21 pm

    […] Tantrums, yelling, whining. […]

    Reply
  6. How To Stop Yelling At Our Kids says:
    September 17, 2018 at 7:49 pm

    […] Stop Kids Whining […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar



PRIVACY - DISCLOSURE - ADVERTISE - COPYRIGHT

Footer

Clutter free …

Gentle Declutter Method - Just 10 Things
Declutter List Of Things To Declutter Right Now

Grow your own …

Spring Vegetable Planting List
Natural Mosquito Repellents For Garden And Camping
How To Grow Raspberries In A Small Garden
Growing Rosemary From Cuttings In Water

Natural remedies …

How To Relieve Lower Back Pain Long Term At Home
Natural Remedies For Stomach Ache & Indigestion
PRIVACY - DISCLOSURE - ADVERTISE - COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT