It is very easy for some children to complain about everything and there is always something to complain about. For example, we can complain about the way someone treats us, the products we are using not being fit for purpose, or the service we are receiving. We can moan about the challenges life brings, the work we are doing and even the weather. We can grumble about everything! But is it helpful?
When we complain will anything change? Possibly. You may receive an apology or compensation. Sometimes nothing will happen.
Adults complaining is no different from children complaining. Children love to complain especially about their teachers or the lessons. They will moan about the amount of homework they have or their friendships. They will grumble about what parents serve them for dinner or for not allowing them to do something they really want to do. Complaining can sometimes be a good way to let off steam and offload but too much can be counter-productive and it won’t make a blind bit of difference apart from the child feeling heard.
Reducing Children Complaining So Much
Complaining will not always change a situation so therefore children need to learn to just get on with it. They need to accept that they cannot change their teachers or that the lesson content is going to be what it is. They are still going to have to do their homework so why don’t they take a different approach to it and just crack on with it?
A different thought process needs to be used instead of moaning which is, ‘ This is how it is. I cannot change this thing therefore I need to accept it.‘ There are exceptions to this as we know children can address a friendship issue or they can speak to their teacher if they are not coping with the workload but, generally, Sa can-do attitude instead of moaning is so much nicer to hear and be around.
How do you stop your child from complaining?
To read more about how parents can help their children deal with life’s challenges, have a look at my book The Parent’s Toolkit
