"Why do I have to? I did it last time! I don't want to. You're so mean!"

Does it ever occur to you that the kids could do what you ask in about half the time if they quit complaining? Try a few of these ideas to stop the problem:

1. Ignore it.

We give power to a child's complaints by engaging in a lengthy battle over them. The battle itself becomes a valuable tool for a child looking to procrastinate! Its better to let the child know you are going to ignore all complaining, and do just that.

2. Be a broken record.

A variation on the "ignore it" theme, for parents who find it too difficult not to respond to a complaining child, is known as the "broken record" technique. As the name implies, simply continue to repeat your request in a bland, unemotional way each time your child answers with a complaint. Your child is bound to give up after three or four repetitions.

3. Re-state it.

A natural response to a child's complaint is usually an unkind retort. A better choice is to re-phrase the child's comment in an acceptable way. So when your child complains, "Why do I have to do Salaat now! My homework's not even done yet!" you can respond, "What I'd like to hear you say is, 'Dad, could I finish my homework before I do Salaat?'."Providing the time for the prayer hasn't gone out.

4. Give instructions.

Often, a complaint pops out of a kids mouth without much thought. The complaint is not being said to start a battle. Give a child the benefit of the doubt and issue a few words of instruction, "I'll be happy to listen to you when you have given more thought to your comments." Its possible that your child will think about what's been said and rephrase it more politely, Insha Allah.

5. Focus on solutions.

Re-direct your child's energy in a more productive way, "I've , heard your problem. What do you think can be done to solve it?" It can be an interesting experience to watch the transformation in a child who suddenly realizes that he has power to make choices. In other words, beyond just complaining, he can come up with valid ideas to solve his own problem.

6. Don't give lessons!