I'm going to try some of these ideas tomorrow, no doubt.
The only one I'm not crazy about is the thing about babies whining. I've just now gotten my nearly 3 year old to stop asking me why her 10 week old brother is whining when he starts crying. She knows the word because we've talked about how much nicer it is to ask in a pleasant voice than to whine, but she doesn't understand the connotation of the word. I don't think babies whine. They cry to express a need, and whining tends to be used to express frustration that a "want" isn't being met. I don't think a two month old has any wants, just needs, and calling his requests for food and to be made comfortable whining makes me sad. She has finally stopped using the "W" word, and now she'll say, "You'd better nurse him a little bit, Mama."
The only one I'm not crazy about is the thing about babies whining. I've just now gotten my nearly 3 year old to stop asking me why her 10 week old brother is whining when he starts crying. She knows the word because we've talked about how much nicer it is to ask in a pleasant voice than to whine, but she doesn't understand the connotation of the word. I don't think babies whine. They cry to express a need, and whining tends to be used to express frustration that a "want" isn't being met. I don't think a two month old has any wants, just needs, and calling his requests for food and to be made comfortable whining makes me sad. She has finally stopped using the "W" word, and now she'll say, "You'd better nurse him a little bit, Mama."
