Whine? Not! Four Ways to Deal with Whining Children We've got advice about teaching your preschooler to find less annoying ways to get what she wants. By Caroline Schaefer

Step 1: React
Put away the earplugs and take action. "Kids can whine all day, easily outlasting a parent who is trying to tune it out," says Rene Hackney, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist in Alexandria, Virginia. "The longer you let your child complain, the more determined she'll become to get her way." Instead, help your child understand that her whining voice is very hard to listen to. You can say, "I can't understand you when you whine. If you want to tell me how you feel, then I need you to use your regular voice." Don't assume she knows what it means to whine. Demonstrate how it sounds by whining back at her, suggests Hayward. Also, take stock of whether she may be whining because she's tired or hungry. Sticking to a nap schedule and stashing a snack in your purse for outings can help prevent a major meltdown.


Step 2: Relate
Try to get to the bottom of your kid's bellyaching. Is he whining because he's trying to control a situation? If that's the case, give him a job that relates to that specific scenario. For instance, if he whines about how long you're taking at the supermarket, let him choose which apples to bag or how many bagels to buy.

Is he simply venting? Just as you like to gripe to your partner about a bad day at work or a stressful exchange with another mom, 3- and 4-year-olds need to express themselves too. You might start by saying, "I know you really want to have an extra balloon, but each child gets only one at the party," Dr. Hackney advises. This will validate his feelings and also give him a reason why you're rejecting his request.



Step 3: Rephrase
Whenever I take Avery along to the drugstore, she pleads at the top of her lungs when she sees the seductive selection of candy at the checkout aisle. To keep her quiet (and to avoid the cashier's scowls), I usually give in to her squeals for chocolate within a nano-second. Dr. Hackney suggests a better strategy, which will keep both me and the dentist happy: "Ask her to use her nice voice and to say please, and demonstrate exactly what to say and how to say it. Once she does that, you can then respond to her request with a yes or a reasoned no."

Although you may be tempted to punish your child if she continues to whine, that's not the best solution, says Hayward. "Taking away something like a favorite toy or a special privilege doesn't teach kids how to engage in a positive way in order to get what they're after and just ends up adding to their feelings of powerlessness."


Step 4: Reward
When your preschooler does ask you for something in a calm, sweet way ("Can I please have a cookie?"), it's a perfect opportunity to recognize and reinforce his good behavior. "Don't be afraid to gush! You can say, 'Wow, what a lovely way to ask. That sounded so nice,' " says Dr. Hackney. Even if you refuse his request ("We are going to save our appetite for dinner and skip the cookie now"), pointing out how well he used his good voice will make him less likely to resort to whining next time. You'll be relieved you've silenced the din, and he'll have learned how to make himself heard.

Originally published in the January 2011 issue of Parents magazine.

Happy New Year

Please come back for new information for 2011!
Stay Tuned

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Here are a few tips from Susan G Komen

Breast Self-Awareness

Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can be successfully treated. Screening tests can find cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recommends that you:
1. Know your risk

• Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
• Talk to your provider about your personal risk of breast cancer

2. Get screened

• Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk
• Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
• Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40

3. Know what is normal for you
See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:

• Lump, hard knot or thickening
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in the size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Add exercise into your routine
• Limit alcohol intake

Kids Say the craziest things.

Welcome to the new comedy section of the blog.   Many of us have experienced a time when we thought " No one would believe what this child just said" Well here's our time to share with everyone.  Here are a few quotes I have collected so far, Enjoy


Quotes from Keri:  " Mama, I can't sleep because of the stories in my eyes".... She was having a bad dream 
While Erica was putting on makeup, Keri says "Mama, are you decorating your face?" 


Quote from Julian: " Mommy we gone get married" Ok, why did you say that? asks Tori. Per Julian "Because I love you". 

Here's one from Sheila's kids....

"Mommy, did you get you paycheck yet?" Not a question but a quote as they ask everyday to determine if they will go to McDonalds and get Frappes or just Happy Meals lol. 7, 6 and 4 years old... gotta love the Ruggers!  


 When getting on Josh I always say what im gonna say and end it with "I mean it" so now he says "Keta I mean it" to everything. I have to keep reminding him I'm " mommy" not "keta" to him. He hear Justin cals me Keta all the time.

Mom's at Work Luncheon

Charlotte Parent Presents the 13th Annual Mom's at Work Luncheon.

Please let us know if this is something you maybe interested in.  Check out the details below, and maybe we can purchase a table for our group!

A table of 10 will be $40 each person and individual tickets are $44 each.  All that are interest please respond to pinkculture@gmail.com by August 30th.

October 6, 2010

The Charlotte Convention Center

11 am - 1:30 pm

Kelly Swanson - 2010 Moms@Work Speaker

Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, motivational and keynote speaker, corporate comedian, and the author of “Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale? - How to Hang on to Humor When Life Doesn't Go the Way You Planned”. Kelly creates outrageously funny, motivating, educational, and empowering programs and shows for corporations, associations, non-profits, conferences, and general audiences.

Do It Your Self

Recycling Crayons is as easy as 1, 2, 3!!



1. Remove the papers from the crayons, and break the crayons into thirds or fourths, while separating into color families in a separate cup in your muffin tray. 

2. Place the tin in a 300 degree oven, after about 2 minutes, keep checking your muffin tray every 2 minutes until the crayons are liquid form. 


3.Pull the tin out when the crayons have melted basically leaving a liquid form in the tray.  Make sure crayons are completely cooled this will avoid breaking. (Be gentle when taking out) 


And voila  you have officially recycled your child's crayons!  Easy as 1...2...3.. 
Time to color!!