My Friend's Whining Kids

I know exactly what your feeling. I had a friend a few years ago that I got along with really well. Unfortunately, her kids would beat up on my then 1 year old. They were both boys and pretty tough for their ages and my daughter was only one. I also distanced myself from her just because of her kids. She never asked why. I am pretty sure she knew why, that's why she didn't ask. It hurt me to lose my friendship with her but she had NO control over those boys at all! They would throw dirt at my daughter, take their toys away from her and say you can't play with that it's mine, they would hit her if she did play with one of their toys, it was bad. She felt bad for them because their dad was overseas. I understand that to an extent but not letting them get away with EVERYTHING!! That's just CRAZY to me! I can't imagine what they are like now... =)

Every kid will whine from time to time but the really bad vhiner are because whining gets them their way. So if they want something they know that all they have to do is whine and will get it. If your children whine let them know that it will get them nothing. I hate whining and my daughter tries it again and again. I have had to walk away from her before. And I even tell her at three years old that whining will get her nothing. Your children may pick up on it but if they see that it does not work with your they will not use it. It is hard to not cave sometimes but youf do it once they try it again and again. I have a home daycare and even the kids I watch know that whining does not get you things. But with every new kid we have to start the training again. NO WHINING! You might even tell her that it bothers you maybe she dosen't know what to do about it or feels helpless to make it stop. Say it nicely and ask if there is anything you could do to help. She may be feeling very alone right now and not sure if she should ask. Or she might get mad, but don't true friends try and help each other out.

Has she not asked you why you've been distancing yourself? I'd have to be honest to tell you the truth. I can't stand brats and I've had to tell friends that if they're coming over, they have to leave their kids at home. If they felt I was in the wrong, then they could always stay home too. Sometimes you can't have it both ways. You have to decide which you want more. To put up with her bratty kids to keep the friendship, or be honest at the risk of losing her as a friend. IF she has any respect for the people around her, she'll smarten up her kids. If not, then she really didn't care about the friendship that much to begin with. xoxo Cyne