Whiiine

I recently came across this cute book and can't wait to order it: Peter and the Whimper-Whineys on Amazon for 11.99$

And why would I want to order this? Yep, my child has been whining A LOT lately, and it's so hard at this toddler age to do much about it.  And I hate to disappoint you readers out there, but I don't have a magic counseling answer for anyone with a toddler who whines, just that I have your sympathy :)  We all know not to give in when a child whines, not to give them what they want, not to answer to them, and to tell them to "talk in your normal voice", and "I can't hear you when you whine."  The more you give in when they whine, the more they will know to whine so they can get what they want.

But when you have a toddler who doesn't quite understand the word, 'whine', it's kind of hard to enforce this technique right now.  Much easier for a parent to try with an 8 year old.  When I talk in my 'normal' voice and model it for my 2 year-old, she gives me this deer in headlight look like, "What the heck are you talking about?"  In fact, when I talk all whiny to teach her the meaning of the word, she thinks it's funny and starts laughing.

So, for now I just keep telling her to ask me for something in her normal voice and to say, "please" and I keep repeating her requests in a nice, normal voice so she can hear what 'normal' means.  And I try to make sure she isn't tired, which can cause a child to start whining X 10.

But I tell ya, just when I think my child is well rested after 12 hours of sleep, is fed and is feeling well, she will all out start whining, whining, whining for something.  Ugh.  Nails on chalkboard.  I just don't get it.  I guess it's just baby steps for now and redirecting.  

Check back with me in 6 months and we'll see where we are, until then, anyone have any great tips for us toddler moms?