Nagging... how to not let it get to me?

[chavtastic]

DS 3yo nags when he wants something. It's beyond my capacity to tolerate well.... Even if I've said "No" 1600 times, he just keeps nagging and repeating himself.. over and over.... It really grinds on my nerves.

Any tips... How do I ignore him and not lose my rag? He's a big soft sweetie, really, so I feel bad when I crack down hard on him. How not to let the nagging get to me so much? Walking away and leaving him not an option as he's often in the pushchair or car when it kicks off.

Say "yes" or "no" once.

Then try your hardest to "zen" out. Sing a song inside your head etc. After a bit he'll give up.

They all do it though!!

The 'How to Talk' tips are quire good for this.

Acknow;edge them.

say things like "Oh OK you sound like you really really want some chocolate"

and "Mummy can hear that you want some chocolate, sometimes I want things really really badly too, you sound really annoyed that you can't have it now".

Set a time when he might be able to have it

"after tea time" or "after you have picked up some toys"

If he absolutely can't have what he is asking for then I'd go for the direct approach, get down to his level, look him in the eye

"Mummy can hear that you want x, but you cannot have it. I know that is annoying, but I am saying NO. If you ask me again then you will have to go up to your bedroom"

That sort of thing.

Often the first things of acknowledging can avoid a punishment type scenario occuring.

Answer him.

Explain answer at his level then state you will not answer the same question anymore.

Then ignore him when he asks again.

Ds (3.6yo) is doing exactly the same.Winds me up no end. He is worse if I get into an argument with him though. So am (trying) to do the above. Seems to be improving it a bit.

DS (who is only 2.5) is doing this too. It's AWFUL, like a mantra that he will keep up for hours sometimes. Have tried some of the above but it often then develops into full on teary tantrum and Mummy getting cross. Have been feeling like a crap mum all day today because of it.
Sometimes I feel it's not even about the thing that he wants but about getting my constant attention (often starts in the middle of my trying to cook dinner).
Have posted here before about it so sorry to hijack your thread - does get very wearing though.

'sok, snotbuster. I find acnowledging what they say just makes them think it's still negotiable. Banishing to a room doesnt prevent future nagging, which I guess is what i really want.