what to do to stop a whinger (aged 4) whinging non bloody stop?

[Greythorne]

My DD1 is 4.4 and she's a whinger. It is driving me batty.

Example:

We were on a boat today on the river Seine (we live in Paris, had a relative visiting). the sun was shining, the boat was lovely, we had nice seats, not too busy, obviously great views if you are an adult, less so, perhaps if you are 4 but even so, being on a boat is fun. We had picnic stuff, so she was snacking on the boat, so not hungry, not tired.

And yet she whinges. and whinges.

She asked for my iPhone to play a toddler game (tinkerbell dressing up game). But I didn't want to give it to her because I didn't want it to get lost or dropped or damaged. Plus I felt like we should all be enjoying a sunny family day out without recourse to electronic toys.

But she whinged and whinged endlessly and it was driving me mad.

NOTE: I did not give in for a biy of peace, even though I was sorely tempted. I have read elsewhere on MN that giving in to whinging is basically training your children to whinge! So, I resisted but the morning was exasperating, endless whinging, interspersed with me cajoling and threatening.

I tried distraction (games along the I spy theme and a treasure hunt thing), I tried ignoring the whinging.

I would love some ideas on how to handle this, as we often get endless whinging for chocolates or sweets when out and about, too.

Ds is really good at whinging.

I use either whinge back at him or tell him that I won't listen and can't understand him and to talk properly.

The first i'll use if he is in a good mood and can tell it will diffuse it in an instant. When it works he thinks it is hilarious and falls about laughing.

The latter gets used mostly and it has cut it down and he stops whinging pretty quickly now.

I'm not even sure why I'm posting as I feel like the world's worst parent at the moment and all three of mine can whinge for England at times.

However, I've sometimes found it helps if you can tell them when they CAN have whatever it is they're after. E.g. 'We are with friends now spending time outdoors. This is not the moment for playing phone games. You can play with the phone when we get home and I am cooking dinner (or whenever).' Then follow through.

ha ha yes I love DD's face when I whinge back at her - torn between laughter / being mortally offended / continuing with the whinge. Does depend on the mood though.

The boat is hard because you are trapped. The only thing I might try in that situation is to say 'if you don't stop asking, I will erase the tinkerbell game from my phone and you will never get to play it again'. That sort of thing sometimes works with my four year old.

dd2 (7) is still at it- sorry!

I DID THIS TODAY!!!
DD1 (4yo) started to whinge about something and I said "I can't understand that strange noise you're making". She whinged again and I repeated myself, then she said in a normal clear voice what it was she wanted and why, with a polite, not whiney, "please" at the end.

Thank you MNers!

Hoorayyy!! Well done FGM!