Rating: 
Summary: Of minimal help. . .
Review: Most of the examples and ideas in the book pertain to older children -- but it's the younger ones who whine! The idea of ignoring a whining child really doesn't stop a preschooler from whining - they'll just follow you out of the room! I didn't find a lot of specific answers that I was hoping for. If you want a book with more specific and realistic ideas check out this one: Kid Cooperation: How to Stop Yelling, Nagging and Pleading. I found it to have many practical solutions to whining and more.
Rating: 
Summary: This book really works!
Review: The key to helping your children learn to not whine is to change your own behaviour towards them. Model respectful behaviour. Loved this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Good main ideas + a few bad ideas
Review: The main ideas of the Whining book are good and from what I've witnessed, effective not only for stopping whining, but for the personal growth of the child. Unfortunately, some of the secondary points and applications of the main points contradict the main points, and can even be harmful to the child, short and long-term. Overall, I recommend the book, however, a parent must be careful in picking and choosing which of these principles and applications to follow:Strengths and good points:
· Clear, concise writing.
· The book does a fairly good job defining whining, its purpose and the disservice this does to the child and the family.
· Good idea: When a whining incident occurs in public, remove the child from the scene.
· Another good idea: Parents announce ahead of time that whining will result in an automatic "no". It's important not to reward whining.
· The authors recommend logical consequences for whining, no second chances.
· The recommendations for assertive and respectful communication to children are excellent ones. Do not yell at children or sink to any disrespectful communication with them.
· The chapter on providing children with responsibility in the family (chores) so they'll feel like important contributing members is an excellent one. Important contributing members are less likely to seek attention in negative ways. Furthermore, they learn responsibility and become less self-centered.
Weaknesses and bad points:
· Bad idea: The authors instruct parents to ignore children completely when they whine at home. This undermines the idea that parents are to treat children with respect. The silent treatment is completely disrespectful whether the person on the receiving end is a child or adult. And I'm sure parents don't want to encourage their children to tune them out! The parent can do a modified form of ignoring by saying, "I'll be happy to talk with you, when you talk to me in a respectful manner." THEN they can ignore whining, but reward respectful communication with talking.
· The example of ignoring the 5 year-old boy who refuses to go to bed merely allows him to get away with the behavior. There needs to be a consequence, such loss of TV or Gameboy privileges.
· In recommending consequences be accomplished with a minimum of words, the authors err in under-explaining consequences to children. Explain once and clearly so the child knows exactly why the consequence was enacted. Do not be drawn into a battle, but do explain!
· A few examples contradict authors' own points. They say to use logical consequences when tasks are not completed, yet the 13 year-old who refuses to bring groceries in the house is cheerfully told, "Well maybe next week." No consequences at all!
· Food should NEVER be withheld as a consequence, unlike some of the examples in the book. This is cruel and unusual punishment in the short-term, and can contribute to eating disorders in the long-term.
· The sample 14-day "Parent Progress Diary" is 14 pages of filler. It would suffice to provide one blank page and suggest the parent reproduces it. Despite the weaknesses, I still recommend the book based on the strength of the main ideas. However, since there are some faulty examples, I recommend discretion in applying the concepts.
Rating:
Summary: Good main ideas + a few bad ideas
Review: The main ideas of the Whining book are good and from what I've witnessed, effective not only for stopping whining, but for the personal growth of the child. Unfortunately, some of the secondary points and applications of the main points contradict the main points, and can even be harmful to the child, short and long-term. Overall, I recommend the book, however, a parent must be careful in picking and choosing which of these principles and applications to follow: Strengths and good points:
· Clear, concise writing.
· The book does a fairly good job defining whining, its purpose and the disservice this does to the child and the family.
· Good idea: When a whining incident occurs in public, remove the child from the scene.
· Another good idea: Parents announce ahead of time that whining will result in an automatic "no". It's important not to reward whining.
· The authors recommend logical consequences for whining, no second chances.
· The recommendations for assertive and respectful communication to children are excellent ones. Do not yell at children or sink to any disrespectful communication with them.
· The chapter on providing children with responsibility in the family (chores) so they'll feel like important contributing members is an excellent one. Important contributing members are less likely to seek attention in negative ways. Furthermore, they learn responsibility and become less self-centered.
Weaknesses and bad points:
· Bad idea: The authors instruct parents to ignore children completely when they whine at home. This undermines the idea that parents are to treat children with respect. The silent treatment is completely disrespectful whether the person on the receiving end is a child or adult. And I'm sure parents don't want to encourage their children to tune them out! The parent can do a modified form of ignoring by saying, "I'll be happy to talk with you, when you talk to me in a respectful manner." THEN they can ignore whining, but reward respectful communication with talking.
· The example of ignoring the 5 year-old boy who refuses to go to bed merely allows him to get away with the behavior. There needs to be a consequence, such loss of TV or Gameboy privileges.
· In recommending consequences be accomplished with a minimum of words, the authors err in under-explaining consequences to children. Explain once and clearly so the child knows exactly why the consequence was enacted. Do not be drawn into a battle, but do explain!
· A few examples contradict authors' own points. They say to use logical consequences when tasks are not completed, yet the 13 year-old who refuses to bring groceries in the house is cheerfully told, "Well maybe next week." No consequences at all!
· Food should NEVER be withheld as a consequence, unlike some of the examples in the book. This is cruel and unusual punishment in the short-term, and can contribute to eating disorders in the long-term.
· The sample 14-day "Parent Progress Diary" is 14 pages of filler. It would suffice to provide one blank page and suggest the parent reproduces it. Despite the weaknesses, I still recommend the book based on the strength of the main ideas. However, since there are some faulty examples, I recommend discretion in applying the concepts.
Rating:
Summary: Practicle Help
Review: What a helpful book! It's a good follow up for the Sears' "Discipline Book" which does a good job of getting you attached to your baby, but doesn't give real practicle methodes for dealing with an already spoiled, whiney child. "Whining," has given me a way to effectively deal with our daughter's less than desirable behavior!
Rating:
Summary: A lot of theory without enough real life examples
Review: WOW, The title says it all for me. I have a little girl 16 months that I used to rarely be able to take her in public for fear of her tantrums or whining. WITHIN two days of ipmlementation of the ideas in the book I saw a BIG improvment. My INLAWS jaws dropped as my daughter sat thru a WHOLE meal with us 4 days later. As I am writing this my daughter has come to my lap, pointed to the box of cookies and said "Mom peez" What a great gift stumbling on this book has become for my daughter. I can be assured she will grow up with the skills necessary to communicate effectively. I look forward to any and all new books from this author.
Rating:
Summary: WOW My DAUGHTER stopped WHINING and ACTING UP
Review: WOW, The title says it all for me. I have a little girl 16 months that I used to rarely be able to take her in public for fear of her tantrums or whining. WITHIN two days of ipmlementation of the ideas in the book I saw a BIG improvment. My INLAWS jaws dropped as my daughter sat thru a WHOLE meal with us 4 days later. As I am writing this my daughter has come to my lap, pointed to the box of cookies and said "Mom peez" What a great gift stumbling on this book has become for my daughter. I can be assured she will grow up with the skills necessary to communicate effectively. I look forward to any and all new books from this author.
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