Meaningless Cries

Updated on August 06, 2012
P.L. asks from Cove City, NC
10 answers

My almost 5 year old daughter constantly cries for no reason. Every time I say no, she cries like someone hit her. Or just cries because she wants to. I don't know what to do anymore. I tried hugging, talking to her but she still does it.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I have been trying to send her to her room when she cries but she does it even worse. So loud so everyone can hear her.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Girls, cry. They go through lots of age phases where they are emotional.
Or it is their personality or the only way they know how to express themselves.

If she is crying or whining for NO reason, then tell her she can go to her room. And when she is done, then she can come out.

But if something is wrong, then talk with her.

I have a daughter. But I know... when my daughter is crying or whining for a reason. Or not. Or if she is just over-tired or hungry.
I know her cues.
She is 9 now.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

I would ask her to go cry in her room if she feels the need to cry. Do not give her any attention that rewards her behaviour.

3 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

She wants attention, you are giving her attention, why should she stop?

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

is this something that just started? I would look into her being over tired and try to adjust her sleep schedule. when my daughter gets over emotional I can bet she needs more sleep.Good luck

2 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

If you are sure she is not ill or tired, treat this crying like Whinning.

You seem upset, go to your room and calm down.

If you are going to cry, go to your room until you are finished.

Use your words, not your crying.

If you are going to cry about this, we are going to leave.

Later when she has calmed down, ask her. Why were you crying?

I need you to use your words, I cannot understand your crying.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

If you reward bad behavior, you will get more bad behavior.

Try rewarding good behavior instead.

Good luck to you and yours.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.O.

answers from New York on

Some girls (and guys for that matter) are just weepy. I guess I'd respond minimally, so she got virtually no reaction at all. "Oh, sorry you're upset. Feel free to join us when you're feeling better." A big punishment isn't really warranted for crying, and it could just feed into her melodrama. If that doesn't work, you might also want to get her evaluated for depression.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.V.

answers from Las Vegas on

I know what you mean. My son who is 6 years old tries to cry when I tell him no, not all the time but just the times when he really wants to do something or he doesn't like what I say. Those times I tell him he needs to go to his room until he calms down. He does at times cries even louder but I just ignore him and do what I was doing. Now I do know when he is crying for a reason and those times I do sit down with him and try to find out what is wrong. If she's crying because you say no send her to her room and tell her that she needs to calm down before you talk to her. If she gets even louder just ignore her and do something. If she is crying just because she wants to send her to her room and tell her that once when she is calm you'll talk to her.
Sounds like she has you wrapped around her finger for whenever she cries when you say no. It'll take a little time for her to realize that crying isn't going to make you change your mind. Now if she is crying for a reason then that is the time for holding her and hugging her.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Houston on

Five seems a little old for this. My first thought is that she's tired. If she has been growing, or if it's time for growth, she may need to start going to bed 30 min. earlier. Being tired shows itself in the worst ways.

My other thought is to just completely ignore he. Don't talk, hug, communicate in any way. If you are sure that nothing is wrong and this is just the needless cry, become deaf to it. She'll probably stop if she's not getting any attention from it.

If you'd feel better about it, sometime when she's not crying have a little "business meeting" with her and say "you've been crying a lot lately when there's no reason to cry. If you need something or if you're hurt, you need to tell me. If you're just crying for no reason I'm not going to hear you." Then follow through with your ignoring approach.

D.K.

answers from Sioux City on

Ok, my three year old used to do this but never by the time they are five. I would start taking everything away from her.... favorite toys, TV time, computer time, favorite blanket, music time, snack time... everything. I would explain that she just isn't very good at hearing the word "NO" so we are just going to have to practice. Each time she throws a fit she will have to practice hearing the word "NO" all over again. There would be no swimming, no shopping trip, no desert, no juice, no friends over....NO. I'm pretty sure that would nip it fairly quick, but she will test and you will have to be consistent.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions