My 4-yr old complains about everything. We haven't spoiled her. We set boundaries, she has excellent manners, but for some reason, it seems lately that absolutely nothing is good enough for her.
I run her bath, it's too hot. I run her bath, it's too cold. Her teacher hands out candy, she complains she didn't get the pink piece. We go to the play area in the mall, she complains when it's time to leave. I buy her the Cinderella costume she's wanted for months and she complains that it's itchy. I give her a banana with her breakfast, she complains that there's a brown spot on it. I give her an apple the next day, she complains that I left some of the peel on.
Does anyone here have experience with a chronic complainer? She doesn't get it from her dad or me. We have told our parents to stop sending any goodies for a while because she's just too ungrateful. Apart from that, what else can we do? Her teacher and we are tired of hearing constant complaints. Thanks much.
2006-10-08 10:02:24 · 10 answers · asked by tagi_65 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I guess I should have included this: when we do take things away from her, she gets very upset and apologizes over and over. She may not complain about that item again, but she will complain about the next thing that comes along.
2006-10-08 10:11:13 · update #1
Oh, Colleen! Hi! Playing stalker again? Nice ta see ya honey bunches ;) Hey everyone! This is Colleen, there at the bottom - she kinda follows me around *blush*
2006-10-08 14:41:31 · update #2
Oh, and *doh*! Silly me - seems I forgot to mention that y'all should take a look at her profile. She's got a whopping 2% "best answer" rating hehe! Yeah, she's just full of it! Er, good advice that is...or maybe not ;)
2006-10-08 14:43:40 · update #3
I think it's just a stage where she has begun to realise that she has choices in her life. For years, she hasn't had much ability to choose or to affect her own life, and now that she's four, she does - and she has the power and the abilities to back it up.
Sorry to sound boring but can you just ignore it? So many things are just a stage. If she's been doing this for a year, then yes, it's time to get some extra help, but if it's only been a few weeks, then it's still a stage, technically.
2006-10-08 13:30:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've had six children, and they were all different. Could be she's just going through a change, in age, trying to get her own personality. Or it could be something is chemically unbalanced. I don't think threes any need to worry. In the next two weeks she will be a different child. In a few weeks if nothings changed, I would suggest testing her sugar or getting her eyes checked. Even physical problems can change you attitude.
2006-10-08 17:31:22 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a phase, as they realize that there are a lot more choices, and they start to lose a sense of control they were just starting to develop.
In my house, that's about the time we started saying, "Ya get whatcha get, and ya don't throw a fit." House motto on complaining about minute things.
2006-10-08 17:31:22 · answer #3 · answered by steelypen 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would take away what was complained about and be consistant, so she know's you mean business. Kids these days need to learn to be grateful for what they have and get. Make it clear that if it is not good enough you will find someone who will appreciate it!
2006-10-08 17:14:25 · answer #4 · answered by just wondering 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My son went through this one. I found "Will you stop being a bleeding tart" worked quite well.
He was also moaning about dinner one night, so I tipped the whole lot in the bin, then put the empty plate back in front of him and said "There, now you have NOTHING to complain about". I was rather proud of that one, nice word play.
2006-10-08 18:17:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
my 4 year old son complains as well, i think they do it to seek attention, when my wife and i talk he will constantly try to butt in when my wife talks to the neighbour over the garden fence he will play up.
I can pick up the news paper and read it OK but my wife as a job because he seeks attention and plays up.
hopefully he will grow out of this in time when he realises he as to listen to others and not only seek attention.
2006-10-08 17:23:31 · answer #6 · answered by Russell B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you give her something and she complains about it then take it away. She needs to learn how to appreciate things--not complain about them. If she complains then take whatever it was away and tell her "If you're going to complain about it, then I'm going to take it away." If she can be good for awhile and apologize for complaining then let her have it back. If she complains again about it then take it away for good.
2006-10-08 17:06:41 · answer #7 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Time outs, anyone? You can intercept gifts from grandma and grandad until she behaves.
Complaining will follow her into adulthood, and you know that noone likes an adult whiner.
2006-10-08 17:10:15 · answer #8 · answered by Schmeep 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ive babysat PLENTY of children like your daughter. lucky me, i just watch them and dont have to deal with them as much as their parents do. lol. i dont think that shes trying to seek attention, she's just very picky. but i do agree with the other comments about taking it away to make her appreciate it. have you ever wondered if she may be obsesive compulsive? just a suggestion.
but good luck.
2006-10-08 18:00:59 · answer #9 · answered by adiogurl_16 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She's four years old...it's part of being a four year old. Does someone need parenting classes?
2006-10-08 20:32:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋