Time Out.
I receive a lot of complaints about this
technique and its effectiveness from
parents, but this only when the technique
is not properly used. This is, however,
a very effective discipline for behavior
that does not require more severe
punishment, like a hiding.
Parents should be careful not to misuse
Time-Out, because it will then lose its
effectivness as a disciplining tool. Before
trying Time-Out, please take time as a
parent to understand how and when to
use it effectively. Time-Out works best if
it comes as a predetermined method of
discipline. This means that it should be
used in a calm manner when your child
disobeys you, and your child knows what
to expect during Time-Out and how to
use it.
In our home I use Time-Out with
all my children, very effectively. My
youngest, who is 3, understands that he
must go to the bathroom for 3 minutes
(one minute per year of the age of your
child) if he refuses to follow a direct
order; or if he behaves disrespectfully
towards me or any of his brothers (for
example by yelling at us). During this
period he may not come out until the
timer goes off after exactly 3 minutes
(this is obviously something you have
to train your child– he doesn’t stay
magically in the bathroom by himself!).
Similarly, my 8-year old knows that
I send him for Time-Out, usually when
he behaves disrespectfully towards me
or any of his brothers, he needs to stay
in the bathroom for a full 8 minutes. He
may not come out before this time (if he
does, the timer gets reset and 2 minutes
are added).
During the Time-Out I expect of my
child to think about what happened
and to regain control of his emotions.
Regaining control of your emotions is
an important part of Tim KS