When 1 min. feels like 1 hour

I have started to do time-out with Blake in the last few days. He is getting too smart for his age and is having a hard time understanding that actions have consequences, so I've decided it is time to try time-out with him.

On one hand Blake laughs when he gets in trouble. (yes this is VERY frustrating) On the other he is a very sensitive little guy who wants to be praised and please the people he loves.

This is the challenge. I have had to give him time-out now twice. The first time he was climbing the stove to open the spice drawer (what can I say my little guy loves spice in his life!). Richard and I had both spoken to him over and over that day, and in a 10 min span we'd both taken him off the stove more than once... ok enough is enough. Into time-out you go! So I picked him up and put him into one of our chairs and told him that he didn't make a good choice by climbing and now he had to sit for 1 min. Well after putting him back on the chair what felt like 20 times (ok it was more like 5, but still) he began to scream and cry because he began to realize, hey I think I don't like this! Well he finally stayed in the chair for his 1 min. Then he gave Richard and I hugs and said sorry. Later we talked about climbing and how that isn't safe. We also talked about how Mommy and Daddy love him, but were not happy with his choice.

The next few days he did really well with just a warning.

Today, I decided to let him go for a swim in his pool. As I was getting him out he bit me on the shoulder... OUCH! Time-out for you. The struggle didn't take as long, but the crying started earlier and lasted longer.

And to top it off... Colby was crying at the same time. Great! Well I got Blake changed into dry clothes, talked to him and carried him out to the living room to settle down for some tv time before his nap. I then got Colby settled down too.

But, for the whole 1/2 hour of Blake's show he was crying on and off.

As a teacher and as a mother, I know I am doing the right thing by setting these boundries. But, it kills me to hear him cry and know he is upset because he made the wrong choice.... which is the purpose of time-outs in the first place... got to love a catch 22!

13 comments:

  1. Introducing time out was one of the biggest hurdles to overcome. It is so great that you are doing it now (I know it doesn't seem like it) because once they are older even the mention of time out usually settles things without even using it (at least in my house). gOOD LUCK!

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  2. Wow, sounds like you've had your hands full for sure! We've been doing time out for a few weeks now....usually in response to one of tantrums. If he wants to throw a fit, then he has to have it on the sofa, no tv and he can come off when he wants to calm himself down and behave. I am hoping these terrible two's don't last long....HUGS!

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  3. Better to have tiny tears now for little time outs then bigger problems later! You're doing the right thing, momma!

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  4. Hang in there- you are doing the right thing. It is best to teach these skills early on. Though it is hard because you have two to deal with- you handled it all great! Everything I have read or heard says to do what you did. Even with both crying- since no one was hurt, deal with Blake first and then Colby. Colby won't remember it, but Blake will. Good for you mom for handling a tough situation so well!!

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  5. We are doing the time out thing too...I can tell Avery now to go to the corner and he will - but he thinks it is funny. I think we need something new.

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  6. Time out SUCKS! But it works. It really does.
    It is hard at first but once he gets used to it he will accept it as his punishment. As long as you remain persistent.
    Good luck!!!

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  7. Oh, I am dreading this part of parenting! I'm already feeling the need to discipline my strong-willed little baby and not sure how to do it . . .

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  8. Once again...I understand. Disciplining Tate is so hard - but I know it is the best for him, but at the same time, it's hard to see him crying and upset...sigh. And yeah...it's even worse when they're both crying at the same time! Oh well...it will pay off in the end...good for you for helping Blake learn that there are consequences for his actions.

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  9. I know time outs are hard but it will help you in the future... Being a teacher I to believe there need to be consequences for certain actions.. Taking a time out to regroup isn't bad! It'll make him a stronger boy!

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  10. we do the time outs too...i usually stick him in the booster and strap him in and turn him toward the wall(he doesn't use the booster to eat) but i also don't want him falling off our chairs onto the concrete. we haven't had one for a while...

    we also have started with the biting a couple times leaving bruises he gets firm no, but no time out yet...if it continues he will!

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  11. awe! I am sure it breaks your heart when he cries. For a little kid I am sure that time seems much longer- but he needs to learn. It isn't supposed to be fun.

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  12. I wimy kid were old enough to understand time out at 12 months! When he bites me there's nothing I can do except say "NO!" and then put him down on the floor.

    Which doesn't seem to help as 30 seconds later he does it again.

    *sigh*

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  13. You know it will all pay off in the end . . . as a high school teacher, I can spot the kids who never received discipline, much less a timeout, from a mile away.

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