Win over the whining child

WHINING — it’s one of the childhood behaviours most likely to set a parent’s teeth on edge.

“It gets a reaction,” agrees Joanna Fortune, clinical psychotherapist and director of Solamh Parent-Child Relationship Clinic. “It’s irritating and usually happens when a parent’s unavailable — maybe they’re on the phone — so tolerance is lower.”

Whining is different to crying and different to being hurt, says Fortune. “It’s that middle area where ‘I’m uncomfortable and I’m letting you know’.”