Come On Feel The Noise: Coping Strategies For Dealing With A Whiny Child

In a June 2011 article, parenting.com confirmed once and for all that "whining is the worst sound ever." It's grating, and nerve rattling, and makes you want to run out of the room holding your ears, childishly screaming "La, La, La." As a new parent (tired, worn down, and well on your way to a nervous break-down), you need a strategy for how to cope with this toddler inflicted torture.

It's mind over matter really. As my mom always said, "don't let them rent space in your head." It's up to you how you react to this rite of passage. Remember, you are the adult, and, as such, you have to take the higher ground especially when you've tried every time-tested trick up your sleeve (negotiation, bribery, threats, anger) to no avail. So when the situation escalates and you see no physical escape from this all out war on your senses, take a vacation- a vacation in your mind.

(Whining at it's Worst: Humorous Ad... click here!)


Now, if you're in a mall when the meltdown comes, I feel for you, but you have to collect your thoughts, gather up your kid, leave the shopping cart and get to your car as fast as possible. "Run, Forest, Run!" The goal is to get as far away from the prying eyes of anyone and everyone that has an opinion on how to raise your child and find a quiet spot to deal with the situation. Strap your wailing ward into the car seat, get into the car, take a deep breath, and count to three. Then go to a happy place...

Have a song in mind, an anthem to repeat to yourself over and over again- one that helps you find the calm control you need to counteract the continuous verbal assault being viciously waged against you. Hum it, sing it out loud, scream it, letting your child know that there is nothing that will break your concentration. It may take a minute, it may take an hour, it may take months, but do this as many times as it takes to let your child know that there isn't a thing they can say, or scream, or sling at you that will make you give in. After awhile the mere utterance of the first bar will stop your child right in their tracks, letting them know that two can play their game, and parental patience always wins out over infantile insubordination.

What song do I use? Well, isn't that obvious by now...?


Quiet Riot - Cum on Feel the Noize - Live
(See also - Oasis Cover - Live)


Other Suggestions:

Kiss - Rock and Roll All Night
The Beatles- Helter Skelter 

Anything loud that takes your mind somewhere else will do. Try it!


Not sure if this is for you? 
Here's some links to some more alternative coping strategies for Wailing and Whining:

• http://childparenting.about.com/cs/behaviorproblems/a/whining.htm
• http://www.parentingideas.org/articles/tips/tips-to-stop-your-kid-whining/
• http://www.theparentreport.com/articles/whining.html