Don't give in to your kid's whining ways -- or elseYour 5-year-old has a renewed penchant for whining since starting kindergarten. What gives?
"Most whiners are made and not born," says Brett Berk, early childhood expert and author of "The Gay Uncle's Guide to Parenting" (Random House, $14).
But school isn't doing the making.
"If you have a whiner, it's probably at least partly your fault," he contends. "But it's never too late to change patterns or prevent new ones from taking root."
Here's the approach you should take, according to Berk:
"When your child whines -- especially when the whine is attached to a question, request or demand -- simply remind them calmly to speak to you in a regular voice.
"If they continue to whine, repeat your admonishment and then ignore them until they abide."
Here's the biggie: "Do not ever, under any circumstance, give in to whining," he says. "If you do, your child will quickly come to believe this is an appropriate and effective means to get what they want, and I guarantee that you will have signed yourself -- and anyone within earshot -- up for a lifelong tasting in your child's extensive whine cellar."
