Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 October 1895 — Whining Children. [ARTICLE]

Whining Children.

Dr. Mary Wood-Allen, writing in Womankind of breaking children of the habit of whining says: "In this case, I should say, that the first thing to do is to secure the cordial co-operation of every other adult member of the family. Let there be united purpose never to give to the child that for which he whines, even if it would be given to him otherwise. Give him to understand this in a firm but gentle way, and if possible secure his approval of the idea. Tell him kindly of the evil of the habit, the unhappiness it causes him and every one else, show him that it is creating a habit for the future years and fell him you are all going to help him to overcome it. Let him feel that your refusal to grant his whining requests are to aid him, not to punish him. Then steadily, persistently, sweetly and firmly, adhere to this policy. Never once yield to his insistence, but always recognize his attempt to meet your wishes in a pleasant manner. If the thing he wants is something he should not have, tell him so, and assure him that no amount of whining will secure it, and then let him whine. Wait, don’t scold, don't tantalize, don’t appear to be either disturbed or moved by his whining. If what he desires is something he can have, and he whines for it, assure him that as soon as hi asks pleasantly he can have it, and then give him time to make up his miml to be pleasant. We are too apt to try to drive our 'children rapidly from one frame of mind'to another. Walt patiently, and if possible help him by diverting his thoughts to something agreeable. In a few minutes he will probably get control of himself. It is often Avery touching sight to witness the efforts of children to gain selfcontrol, sometimes under the stings of the tantalizing reproaches of their elders.—Womankind.