[mack]

I know that kids don't ever really stop whining, =) but at what age developementally can they understand the sentance "I hear what you are asking for, and the answer is yes, but you must wait until such-and-such time"? My ds is just shy of 2-1/2 years old and this is driving me just a little nuts- he is asking for things he is going to get, but he continues to ask for them until he gets them- sometimes up to a half hour of "I want to go outside? I want to go outside? I want to go outside?" If the answer to a request is "no" he will usually only ask the one time (lucky me!), but when the answer is "yes, later" I know I am in for a looooong "later". FWIW, I do try to let him know the timeline- we can go outside after we get dressed, he can have ne-nes after I change his sister's diaper, etc.

Is there an end in sight?

 

[Violet2]

I think it's somewhere around the time their first kid is 2 1/2.

Hang in there momma.

V

 

[skolbut]

We are in the repetetive whining stage right now, too!! Just a few hours ago it was "more chips?" (which we NEVER have but got for our MSU b-ball party so the leftovers have been a special treat and he thinks they're soooo yummy!) Yes, you may have some with your sandwich at lunch. "More chips? In bowl now?!?" Later, with lunch. "More chips? In there. PEEEEES?" and so on. I feel your pain.

One thing that does help is the kitchen timer. We happen to have a digital one but I imagine the non digital ones would work too. We set it then give it to him and he knows to wait for the 'ding'. It's not a cure-all but sometimes it's a trick that works. Hope that helps!!

 

[AllisonR]

I don't know when it ends. Both my 2.5 yo DD and my 4.5 yo DS understand "Yes, after we have done XYZ" but it is really hit or miss. If I tell DD this, she is more likely to do XYZ pretty fast, to get to what she wants. DS usually gets it on the first time, but often just keeps repeating. Sometimes I say "What did I just say?" and he always says "I don't know" and then I repeat again "AFTER XYZ" but if he continues after that, then I get so annoyed I change it into "If you ask me again then we will not do/have X."

 

[mouso]

I hope it stops soon.

 

[babsbob]

DD is 4 and is driving me crazy with the whining for things over and over! I make my kiddos ask me in a calm voice if they want something. It's when they are whining for something I can't give them that is more challenging. Like wanting mail on a Sunday. Then you have to be creative.

 

[RunAround]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Violet2 I think it's somewhere around the time their first kid is 2 1/2. Hang in there momma.

Um, ditto. Definitely not at 2 1/2.

They understand what you are saying, but they don't like the answer or having to wait. Kids have infinite energy to persist and all the time in the world to whittle you down to a nub and bend you to their will.

 

[lolar2]

When I was substitute teaching, the repetition seemed to stop when the kids learned to tell time, because then they could really understand "We are going outside in half an hour." So, around six or seven years old I guess. However, we've sometimes had luck with singing a song about how we're going outside soon or something like that; and once in a while, I've been able to convey "we're going outside AFTER BREAKFAST."

 

[ShyDaisi]

When they move out?

 

[LeahC]

ummm, when they go to college?!

It just seems like there is whining at all stages of childhood. I have noticed that it ebbs and flows with my 3 year old, but that knowledge doesn't make it any less annoying, huh?

 

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Violet2 I think it's somewhere around the time their first kid is 2 1/2. Hang in there momma. V

I was going to say somewhere around 25 or so? If they are boys, it will NEVER EVERY END. hehehe

 

[Juvysen]

My DD didn't start until she was about 2 1/2. She's 3 now, and is definitely whiney. My Ds started when DD started

It's not just whining, it's whiney bargaining from DD. UGH! It's like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.