What do you do when your toddler wants to revert back to whining

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Texas Mommy of 2

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Before our daughter was born, he was great about using his words and speaking like a big boy. But lately, as in the last day or two, he's reverted back to more whining and crying to communicate. I think he sees that his sister cries and whines to tell us what she needs and he thinks that is the way to communicate now to get our attention, *laughs*.

We remind him that big boys use words and babies whine/cry. When we say "Use your words", he does, but we have to remind him a lot lately. He just seems to want to whine more than anything to tell us what he wants or needs. We understand it's probably a phase, but is that a normal thing or what else could be going on here?
He's two and a half in September.
 
LOL the baby phase. It is compeltely normal.

You really want to play up the Big Boy idea. Engage him in big boy activites even helping with his little sister. Simple things like having him pick out clothes or singing and talking to her, even telling the little one stories can play an important part in emphasizing the role as the big brother.

Start a big boy rewards chart. A simply white board with magents or a fun stamp so he can earn points and eventually a reward for acting like a big boy. Great rewards are an afternoon with mom or dad going to a movie, a special treat or a big boy toy.
 
Sounds totally normal. It's just an adjustment period with the new baby around and you're right- his sister gets attention for screaming and crying, why shouldn't he? This reminds me of a book we got from the library recently. If you haven't read Kevin Henkes's 'Julius, Baby of the World' it's hilarious...it's a kids' book about a sister welcoming (sort of) her new baby brother and she goes through similar things. In particular she screams b/c it works for Julius but there are some parts that some parents who reviewed the book don't love (she gets kinda sassy in the book) so you might change some verbage if you read it to your son (depending on his age).

You're doing the right things though reminding him to use his words and being consistent about it. You might also tell him that the way the baby will learn to talk is to hear her big brother use big kid words and not whine as this will encourage him as well.

Best of luck to you guys!!!
 
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