I fail to cope well with whining

[drwex]

One of my big failings as a parent is that I do not deal well with the children whining at me. It leads me to... say things.

Child (in the Whiny Voice of Outraged Complaint): "Why does HE get to when I can't?"
Me: "Because I'm arbitrary and mean."

Comments

[sariel-t.livejournal.com]

Forgive me if your response makes me chuckle a little. *hug*

you're forgiven

[drwex]

It's part of my function

[ceo]

Other parents hope and pray for the day when their child sleeps through the night, uses the potty etc.

I hope and pray for the day when my child understands sarcasm.

(of course, be careful what you wish for; once that happens I'll undoubtedly hear nothing but.)

Undoubtedly

[drwex]

Our children are both well aware of just how sarcastic their parents are. They've played around a bit with it themselves but haven't really developed the knack.

Yet.

[celticdragonfly.livejournal.com]

Karl says he struggles to avoid the phrase "well, sucks to be you."

It's probably best that he avoids it

[drwex]

I do make a good effort not to be overtly harsh, though I also don't stand for my kids' drama queen moments either.

Re: It's probably best that he avoids it

[selenite.livejournal.com]

I don't mind being harsh when called for. But I want to be polite about it.

[louiseroho.livejournal.com]

I failed in that one to the point
where yesterday my 10yr old son said to me:

"This is where you would say 'sucks to be you,' Mommy."

[papertigers.livejournal.com]

that's my boy. :)

[louiseroho.livejournal.com]

He had mentioned that we were out of Tofuti Cuties
and all I said was "ok" to acknowledge that I had
heard him.

And it would be where I would say "Sucks to be you"
because there was no way I was going out into the
snow just to get him dessert food.

[papertigers.livejournal.com]

so you're saying I've been a bad influence on both of you?

[louiseroho.livejournal.com]

There is any question about this point?

[kimberlogic.livejournal.com]

that's priceless and amusing. you rock.

Thank you

[drwex]

Maybe some day the kids will see the humor in it.

[halleyscomet.livejournal.com]

When I was around 13, my 4 year old brother whined all the time. Finally I started using the excuse that I couldn't hear his high pitched whining voice. If he wanted me to be able to hear with my aged ears, he'd have to speak normally. My sisters, also younger than me, joined in on the ruse. My brother stopped whining in about three months.

My mother is convinced this tactic was what caused the stutter he didn't get over until jr. high.

My son appears to be wholly and completely immune to this tactic. It COULD be because he's not yet 2. Then again, it's possible he's simply more determined to whine than my brother ever was.

[papertigers.livejournal.com]

this is what I do with all "my" kids; I've been a nanny/preschool teacher for a decade, and it hasn't failed once.

[ciani.livejournal.com]

I totally get it. I do this with whining adults and children.

[stevie-stever.livejournal.com]

I feel like I should apologize for cackling at this.

Nah

[drwex]

I wouldn't've posted it if it wasn't funny.

[inkedandkinked.livejournal.com]

I don't see that as a failing.

[c1.livejournal.com]

At least you're open and acknowledging of your inconsistency. :)

(And actually, I think it's a success as a parent, that you're not trying to candy-coat the fact that the world isn't right and just.)

Oh that's a standard line

[drwex]

Complaining person (child or adult): "It's not fair!"
Me: "Who ever promised you fair?"

Re: Oh that's a standard line

[c1.livejournal.com]

Lewis Napper penned the Bill of No Rights, amongst which was this gem:
Article I: You do not have the right to a new car, big-screen color TV or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

The rest of it, and its history, can be read at: http://www.snopes.com/language/document/norights.asp

[papertigers.livejournal.com]

wait, there's something wrong with that as a response? I've been doing this wrong... it's better than my mother's typical response: "don't whine, it makes people hate you."

[shaix.livejournal.com]

I share this perspective. I was about to comment "Wait, that's not how you answer a whiny voice?" Oh dear....

*snark*

[taura-g.livejournal.com]

I can so see this scene in my head.

[chienne-folle.livejournal.com]

To which the appropriate response is, "At least you admit it!" :-)