Does your child understand how to be patient?

monica92603

As in....."wait one minute and I will get that for you"

I don't know if my expectations are unrealistic but DD just does not get the concept and the whining escalates.  I want to poke out my ear drums.  I get that she is only 2 but I would think there would be some understanding of "yes you will get that if you just STFU for a second" 

If they do, tips on how to help?

CutieBean79

Does my child understand patience? He!! No.  Lol.  Any tips are welcome here too.

 

rnbeth477

No, not at all. I think it's the age. No tips here, but I'm looking forward to reading the responses you receive.

dairygirl19

Hell no! And out of all my kid experience..I've come to realize they're 3 or 4  before they truly get it.

No advice. I just feel like it's really something they grow into/need the brain dev. to grasp the concept.

I know sometimes I will on purpose do something else first, followed by "Just a second. Let me finish, then I'll help you." If there's whining, I say, "We don't have to whine get things. It doesn't help you get it faster." It's pretty much worthless but at least kids somewhat start to understand after ahwile.

When the kids are older like 5/6 and they whine I do a lot of, "We don't whine. You can have that/I will help you when you calm down." They're old enough to know a bit better by then. This young...it's all they have to communicate!

At the toddler phase, they just want to be independent so the one thing I do to cut down on whining is too move the most commonly used/safe stuff to a level they can reach. Shoes, toys books, sippy cups. Easy stuff that doesn't really matter. That way, they just get themselves, feel good and I don't have to listen to a tantrum.

monica92603

Wow!  Really?

Ugh, I really thought it was something I just needed to work a little harder for NOW.  I'm going to go hide in a corner and cry LOL.

MrsCodeMonkey

I read in a book that you can practice with them by having them touch your hand if they want your attention and you're talking to an adult. To show you understand that you know they want to talk to you, you can touch their hand back. Initially, only make them wait 5 sec or so and raise the wait gradually.

I have no clue when this would work. I was hoping to try it around 2 or 3 yrs.

mrsseguin

DS is getting better, but will constantly repeat himself when he wants something.  I will ask him to wait, but he keeps asking.  It's hard.  I feel at his age (just shy of 4)  he is starting to get it a bit...

Jelliebean1982

The only thing I found helpful was talking through being patient.  Like keep talking in a soothing voice and don't stop.  Or sing.  Like, I need a minute so let's sing the ABC's and when the song is done I'll be free.  Toddlers don't know what a minute means but they sure know that a song has an end to it and can understand that a bit better. 

AimeeL85

No, not usually.  Only in familiar situations where he KNOWS I'm going to get him what he wants/needs and quickly will he be patient (for example, he knows he gets an M&M when he goes potty, but I have to wash my hands first, so he will be patient for 30 seconds while I do that because he knows he will get it.)

However, most of the time when I tell him to wait and I will get it, or anything like that, I might as well be telling him "no" for the reaction I get.