GainesvilleMoms.com

I just a read a pretty interesting article on time outs. My husband and I have only recently starting to use the timeout as a punishment on our wayward 3 year old. I had her in gymnastics class and she was constantly in trouble for running off and doing her own thing. I started making her sit in a chair instead of allowing her to play with all the toys and it started to help. What does everyone else think about the time out?

http://www.slate.com/id/2194331/?GT1=38001

This was great! Thanks for sharing! I have broken almost (ok all) of these rules for effective time outs. I like the idea of the parent time out too! I really do not agree w/ spanking as I have not seen that it works well for me and it also makes me feel horrible! Time outs have not been working either though and now I know why! Thanks again!

Great article. Time outs have been our default form of discipline -- although, luckily, we haven't had to use them too often. My biggest thing is not being consistent on when he gets time outs and when he doesn't, and then following through after the second or third -- or 10th -- warning.

I think this is an issue were parents can easily run astray...or maybe I have watched one too many episodes of Nanny 911.

Personally, from research and experience, there is always warning and often defiance regardless from my child. If he chooses to scream and be disruptive about it, he sits in another room or outside until he is calm, then he goes back to time out until he proves he is calm and willing to follow direction/listen. Then he is out with some talking to (nicely/calmly) and everything is gone over from what happened, the warnings, having to go outside, waiting till he showed he was calm and listening etc.

This has proven to work much better, I think because he is much more aware of the process and what is expected of him. And often times, he sees it coming and is learning to head up some of the process.

Knowing my children, repetition is key for us and ALSO, talking them through certain parts of timeout. When they are screaming etc..I warn them NICELY that they will have to go some where else because it is too loud and rude, then they get a 1-2-3 count, then they go. I also then let them know when they are quite they will be let back in the room.

Keeping them aware is important. I also feel like letting them know they are in control of how things will go is important. Kids love control, that is prolly why they got in trouble in the first place.

For me, I think being physical, even lightly, shows them that being physical is okay...even if only in such situations. I also think that consistency is key especially in one given time out.

Just my thoughts.

V

Just remember as parents to be consistent. If 1 puts a child in time out, don't let the child manipulate the other parent to get out of time out.

I know i started the time outs with my grandniece but my nephew (the father) and my sister (grandmother) is not consistent with it. and they know she uses her little sweetness to manipulate them out of the time out. I've told them not to let her get to them and be firm with it. But of course, she is spoiled because of them, and they are not consistent with the discipline. So of course she will get away with alot of things.

by both parents being consistent and agreeing on the discipline lets the child know that YOU are the parent, not the child. have you noticed for those who have teens how your teens manage to manipulate and control you (or try to), like they know it all, etc...etc... lol

boy wait till those kids have kids later on. lol