Why does my 7 year old son whine so much?

Question

My son is so whiny and sensitive! He gets his feelings hurt really easily. Lately he has been on this whiny kick and its causing alot of turmoil in our home. My boyfriend is my sons "stepdad" since his dad isnt around. He has two teenage girls of his own that visit. Most of the time they hide out in their room as teenagers do but my son takes it as them ignoring him. Ive tried to explain thats what girls do, but he doesnt understand. Plus anytime anything about the girls come up my boyfriend gets in a huff. So then my son has his so called Dad yelling at him because he's defending his girls and I just dont think it helps. I keep saying that its a faze and I dont think yelling at him will fix the problem, I feel like it will get worse. Worse yet he has started the nobody loves me or the nobody likes me deal. He started having probs the end of the school year and due to my surgery he hasnt been around many other kids this summer. Is this a faze? How can I get my sons self esteem back? :(

Answer 1

I remember when my daughter was that age she was so whiney I called her my whiney little honey..I think its a stage, I gave her attention, but it wasn't the kind she wanted (playing games all the time) I asked her principle 4 advise and he said to teach her what it is like saying "were spending time together by doing dishes or shopping ect..) I also would remind her that her tone isn't working.

She doesn't do it anymore now that she's 9 and her self esteem seems better.

Answer 2

Take him to a psychiatrist.

Answer 3

give him some attention

get him involved with activities with other kids



and do stuff with him, just the 2 of you

Answer 4

Your so doesn't have a step father.  YOU have a boyfriend, that doesn't make him your son's step father.  I don't blame your son for acting the way he does...obviously YOU put your boyfriend first when your SON should be your priority.  If you and your boyfriend are going to continue living together I suggest the two of you sit down and set some ground rules for ALL of the children to follow meaning his daughters as well as your son...if his girls are going to be there then they have be made to socialize with the family unit rather than holing up in their room the entire time.  And NO girls don't always stay in their rooms 24/7...only when the parents don't want anything to do with them and don't want to have to deal with them do they present that behavior.  Obviously your boyfriends priority is himself since he has no interaction with his children let alone your child.

Answer 5

A lot of what you are describing is common with 7 year olds.  They always like to bug teen siblings, so it is normal that he would feel put out when the two girls hide out in their room.  Some kids are just more sensitive than others.  My son used to cry at the drop of a hat.  But he out grew it at about 12.  Since he is expressing feeling of insecurity, it would probably be good to get him into counseling, and try to give him some one on one attention.

Answer 6

It sounds like he might just need to be around some other kids his own age. If the only people he has been playing with were the girls, of course he will feel left out. He probably doesn't feel like he gets enough attention. I wouldn't give him too much attention b/c it may spoil him or make him more whiny. I would just try to find him some friends his own age to spend time with. Good luck!

Answer 7

It really doesn't take much.

At their age a little goes a long way.

Play checkers with him.  It only takes a half hour or less.  Talk to him about him and things he does or is interested in, like animals or sports.

Get out of the explaining mode and let him talk without lessons to be learned.

Read a book to him at night.

Talk to him about a picture in a magazine of animals, or whatever.

Answer 8

Put him in summer camp. See if a neighbor would volunteer to drive during your recovery. He needs to be around other children his own age. He needs a project or to feel a part of a group. He feels inferior because of the age difference in the other siblings and is not receiving enough attention from the male figure...it's a big deal for boys!. Get rid of the negativity in the home aka the "brat name calling"! If this is not a realistic option try the project..build something...draw something ..create something with him and only him! Make him feel as if you "need" him...aka...ohhh michael(whatever his name is..lol.!! I really need you to help me with this..can you please help me stir these eggs while I flip the pancakes. It really works and he'll feel needed. That's all he really wants anyway! Good luck and get well soon!