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By Catherine M. Pruissen

When a young child whines it does not mean he is overindulged or spoiled.  It is just a normal way he communicates to get
attention when he's tired, hungry, uncomfortable, or even frustrated.

Try not to loose your temper when your child starts whining.  Instead, follow this advice to minimize it:

• Look for an obvious physical cause which may require your attention.  Your child may be hungry or over tired, have an ear infection or cold, or need a diaper changed.
• Limit frustration.  Be aware of your child's motor skills and provide age-appropriate toys which can be mastered.
• Encourage your child to express his feelings in words instead of whining.
• Demonstrate appropriate behavior.  When both you and your child are in good humor, demonstrate the difference between a whiny voice and a normal voice and see if he can tell you which is more pleasant.
• Ignore whining. Avoid communications and eye contact after you firmly remind your child that you will not respond until his whining stops.
• Avoid labels.  Don't call your child a "whiner" as it may be self-fulfilling prophecy.
• Try to avoid situations which are likely to bring about whining.
• Despite your best efforts, you still may need to accept a little whining.  Your calm and firm response will help insure that he will someday outgrow this stage.

From: Healthy Kids, the Magazine for Parents, the American Academy of Pediatrics