In short, a child who manipulates with whining or pouting is stuck in an immature form of communicating what she wants. Here are four steps to help your child develop more mature communication. Step away from your feelings. Dealing with a sulking, pouting child is frustrating. When you feel frustrated, step back from the situation.
Many parents sense a power struggle when one was never intended.
Step into her shoes. Step onto her side of the fence. When our children display negative emotions, we sometimes step to the other side of an invisible fence, and the picture becomes Parent vs. Child. Try thinking of the struggle in terms of Parent and Child vs. The Conflict. Step through the process.