How to Make Time Out an Effective Way to Modify Your Child’s Unwanted Behaviors

Time Out ChairMy son stayed home with me again today so that he could continue to heal and so that I could make sure that he was fever free before sending him back to daycare.  He acts like he is feeling much better today and his fever finally broke last night.  Thank goodness, I don’t like it when my baby doesn’t feel good.  This morning when I woke him up, he was cranky so I decided to put him down for an early nap.  I thought that a nap would help his mood when he woke up, but I was wrong.

It seemed as if I couldn’t make him happy for more than a few minutes at a time.  When he is feeling normal, he will often play by himself for a few minutes or even watch TV.   But today was far from a normal day, he started throwing temper tantrums instead of playing with his toys.

When he throws a temper tantrum, we normally send him to time out for a few minutes until he stops crying or throwing his fit.  Most of the time sending him to time out gets his attention and he will stop throwing his fit.  Using time out is a great way to modify your child’s behavior and allow them to think about what they are doing wrong.  However, it is important that you don’t make them sit in time out way too long.  I have always used what experts believe is a considerable amount of time for a young child to sit in time out.

Disclosure: These tips are based on my own personal experience.  They may or may not work for your family.  Please consult your child’s doctor, a child psychologist, or behavioral expert for additional help.

Ways To Make Time Out Effective Tool for Discipline

Time out is an effective tool that parents can use to modify their child’s unwanted behaviors.  It is important that you make a designated spot for time out so that you can make it uncomfortable for them in order to deter them from getting sent to timeout for their unwanted behaviors.  Time out can be frustrating to parents, especially, when you are first implementing its use.  Some children will get up or slide out of their chair several times before they decide to sit still.  If your child gets out of time out, make sure that you put them back immediately.

Continue Reading: Tips to Make Time an Effective Way to Modify Your Child’s Behaviors

Comments

8 responses to “How to Make Time Out an Effective Way to Modify Your Child’s Unwanted Behaviors”

  1. Amy @mommetime Avatar

    I concur… consistency is key when it comes to discipline. I have in the past used time-out; now that my kids are older I put their toys in time-out.

    1. Christy Avatar

      We take away the older kids toys or electronics as well when they get in trouble. It works pretty effectively.

  2. rhonda Avatar

    This is excellent. Dropping to their level with eye contact, letting them know you are serious, and consistency are definitely key. I’m so sorry, though to hear baby is not feeling well. I will keep you in my prayers.
    Awesome post, though. Thanks so much for sharing.

    1. Christy Avatar

      Thank you Rhonda for the prayers, I am thankful that he is feeling better. Maybe after a good nights sleep tonight, he will wake up in a better mood.

  3. The Rookie Dad Avatar

    We have followed each of these steps, and you know what they really do work. We always make sure to get down on his level and tell him what he did and if he will do it again… 9 times out of 10 he stops what he was doing. Time out is very effective.

  4. Lexie Lane Avatar

    Time out has been such a miracle for us! It really works! Consistency is also a major key to this as well! Good post Christy!

  5. Liz @ Pardon My Poppet Avatar

    We totally used Time outs too! We’re about to move and have been selling a few items in preparation. Didn’t realize when we sold a set of chairs from our living room that Poppet would be so upset we were selling “her” chair! Time out had become her place to calm down and regroup!

  6. Courtney~Mommy LaDy Club Avatar

    I agree about the consistency. Kids are smart, and just waiting for you to trip up;) You keep steady and keep control. This all gets a lot trickier when they are teenagers though!;)