3 1/2 year old whining?

Question

Is this a normal phase for this age?

It recently started and I'm having a hard time correcting it. He usually only does it when he's tired but that isn't the only time lately.

What measures can I take to correct this behavior? If I ignore it (the way I did tantrums when he was younger), will he eventually stop or would discipline be more effective?

Answer 1

another really tough one. I would say that it depends on your parenting beliefs. I personally would use some sort of correctional method, but I wouldn't be too harsh, since your son is so young...maybe now is the time to start thinking about 'time outs' or even possibly google-ing ways to discipline someone of that age.

hope i could help with my oppinion a little bit :)

Answer 2

Yeah, my mom told me I did that too. It's normal. You just have to tell him to be polite and say please or he wont get what he wants.

Answer 3

Simply ignoring requests and demands made by a whining child usually does the trick. Discipline should be used only if ignoring it doesn't work. Tuning out the noise is the hardest part of it all!

Answer 4

Go to super nanny .com and they have a whole page on what to do with a whiny child.good luck

Answer 5

I believe it's normal for that age. But, I've heard that girls can be much whinier and I've found it to be true. LOL My daughter has been doing that for a while now. It's when she's tired, which is a lot because she refuses naps anymore (except the occasional nap). She also does it when she wants something she knows she can't have. The best thing to do is NOT give in to it. If he's doing it because he wants something, don't give it to him.

Also, since she tells us that she's no longer a baby and is a big girl, we tell her that only babies whine. That works sometimes, but when it doesn't, we tell her that we can't understand her and to please talk in a normal voice. It's funny when we tell her that. She stops the whining and talks normally and it's quite funny how easily they can "turn it off". LOL

Answer 6

maybe he learning that from you.  if you whine and so will he,

Answer 7

i have this same exact problem with my son. he turned 3 in june, and he has been into the whole whining thing for quite some time now. we havent really been able to do anything about it, when we try to correct it, it just makes him whine more. so i am thinking that this is just a stage that kids go through and have to grow out of it on their own (hopefully!)

Answer 8

I know everyone talks about the "terrible twos", but after raising 5 kids past the age of three and working with preschoolers and hearing their parents, I swear that three is MUCH more difficult than two! Ignoring it as you did tantrums is a good way to help him through this, and the first answerer had a great response to say to him. So far in my experience, the age of 4 is a golden age.... I love 4 year olds! Good luck.. :)

Answer 9

Reward for good behavior instead of always punishing for bad. That way he is more inclined to be good to see what you do.

Answer 10

Yes, it's normal at this age.

When my son got whiny, I would just say, "I don't listen to whining.  When you are ready to speak to me in a nice tone of voice, I will listen."  

Answer 11

I think all 3 yr olds whine. I'm going through the same thing and my daughters turning 4 in a week but it has decreased. I just tell her that she doesn't get what she wants when she whines and then I ignore her. I think the best way to deal with it is to tell him that he's not acting like a big boy when he whines and that he's not gonna get what he wants if he asks that way and ignore him. Send him in his room until he gets it together.I think that will help.