Whininess, anything I can do?

ArcticFox

My DD has been SO whiny lately.  I know she should be getting more attention, but there is not much I can do.  She goes to preschool 3x a week, takes gymnastics, and on non-school mornings, we always go out (whether it is shopping, playdates, etc).

But for instance, she was whiny the other morning, so then at gymnastics, it was embarassing - she was acting tired and then when it was her turn, she literally flopped around on the floor whining, like "uh uh uh uh uh uh" (I don't really know how to type it).

She's been doing it a lot lately, standing up, sitting, or laying down.. like flopping and making whiny noises.  She is super smart and I just don't have time for more 1-on-1 attention (with the baby and my husband almost never around).  She is really great when I can give her undivided attention (like during her sister's naptime).  Is this normal?  Should I try to stop it?  I don't even know how to address it, but then when she was doing it at gymnastics I almost had to step in and tell her to please get up because other people were waiting their turn.

shopgirl78

I think its a phase.   DD started this phase around age 4.  I called it the (read in you most whiny voice) "I can't do it."  Things that she had been doing for a couple of years, all the sudden she could not do.  This was prior to our second son being born.  Sometimes to get us out of the door, I would just do it and others I put up a fight and make her do it herself.  DD did at dance and I would remind her that consequences of not practicing while at dance = no recital (she loves dancing on the big stage!).   When I could, I would take her on "big girl outings" and leave the boys with MH.  We'd go to a movie, get pedicures or just go grab a bit to eat together.   It ends.  I can't remember when but I can tell you (knock on wood) age 5 has been the easiest so far!

brightning

I console myself by saying that some kids are just naturally whinier than others - and my DD is one of those whiners! I don't think I do anything to encourage her whining, but some days it is out of control. Some things are obvious triggers, but others days she just wakes up on the whiny side of the bed and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do to stop it.

No advice, but plenty of sympathy! 

marriedchick06

It's a phase, but I feel ya. OMG. DD#1 was whiney and then outgrew it, came back around the age of 3 and now its finally passing again. Anytime she asks for something in a whiney voice I remind her she needs to use her big girl voice and try again.