Daily Archives: January 14, 2010

Eeyore has moved into my house. He’s a lovable grump on TV, but when he takes over the body of a normally happy four-year-old, he’s really, really … unpleasant. I want my son back! The whine flows freely, but I’m out of cheese. I have no idea how to eliminate this malcontent.

Yesterday was the worst day we’ve had so far. The whine started at sun-up and continued all day long. All day! A trip to our favorite bookstore included several warnings, a threat and a follow-through. We put restocked planned purchases then spent a full ten minutes in the bathroom waiting for Zach to stop screaming.

I know I can be prone to exaggeration. I’m not exaggerating! TEN FULL MINUTES. During that time and the preceding march of shame to the bathroom (also to the soundtrack of a tantrum) I received several mean glares from other customers, one sympathetic glance and one rather concerned inquiry.

Since Ellie behaved beautifully throughout this whole ordeal, I promised to buy her a book on the way out. This, while teaching both kids that good behavior is rewarded and bad behavior is not, spawned a new wave of sobbing and begging which only got louder once we reached the car.

This morning Eeyore met us again, even before the hall light lit.

Please, please help me. I’m open to suggestions! We’ve taken away toys, we’ve given time-outs, we’ve eliminated privileges, we’ve had long heart-to-hearts and memorized applicable Scripture. I don’t know what else to do.

I know whining never really goes away. I mean, we adults have our turns, too! But is there a way to decrease it? What do you do with your kids?