when s a good age to start timeouts?

Question

my girl is 21 months old almost 22 months, and is begining to try ALL my patience, anyone else in the same boat Is timeout a good idea, and where, i dont want to use her bedroom...?

Answer 1

As soon as you think your child understands what they are doing is wrong. If they understand the difference between right and wrong, then they can deal with age-appropriate puinishment. The rule of thumb is 1 minute per year, so a minute or 2 to start.

Either use a special chair or the stairs or such. Let them sit there and cry or whatever. When they're "released" make them tell you why they were in time-out (i.e. because I threw the play-doh, etc.)

For any punishment/regulation consistency is the key. If you punish an action once, you must punsh that same action each and every time - no matter how inconvenient it is to you to deal with! Kids are much smarter than we give them credit for being.

Answer 2

Have you heard of 1. 2. 3. Magic? First offence say that's once. Second offence let the child know what's wrong after you say that's TWO, and the third offence use a time out chair where you can keep supervision. Using 1. 2. 3. Magic allows the child to 1. commit the offence, 2. recognize the problem and if the third happens 3. deal with the consequences. As with all discipline Constancy is the key. Pick and choose your battles carefully. They do call this the terrible two's. Being inquisitive is normal. These are the developmental years. A world of so much wonder it really is magical to someone just starting to experience it. Children really grow up too fast. Take your time and enjoy each moment together. The saying "This too [2]shall pass", totally applies.

Answer 3

Distraction works better at this age than time outs. However, your girl does understand the word "no" by now so if she simply won't behave, do a modification of a timeout.

Put her in a place from which she can't escape like a play pen or some other enclosed safe area. Leave her alone to scream her head off (or whatever it is she does) for about 10 minutes. She'll find that her behavior is not getting your attention and she'll eventually stop.

Once she is old enough to understand the concept of a timeout--around four years of age--use a "naughty chair" or stool. The important thing to remember is don't reinforce her behavior by giving her a lot of attention--either positive or negative.

Also, check out www.supernanny.com for more ideas.

Answer 4

about 3 1/2 or so

Answer 5

Make them learn when they are small even though people say Oh its just so cute!! Really it's not. if it starts little it will end big. Once the child knows right from wrong and knows they are doing wrong time out can be given. It was said 1 minute for each age (that what i've read and heard ) Let them know its not nice, and not to do it, you may have to stay by them to let them understand they are in timeout the first couple of times.

Answer 6

It's time to start time out!!! Just find a place in the living room or other area in the house and you might want to try a little bench or a mat as "the time out place"
I will tell you at first, especially with a almost 2 year old time out will be just as much of a patience test as her acting up is.
This will be something new and believe me at first you may have to sit there in front of her and only for a few seconds until she realizes that this is a punishment. Remember at the end of the punishment explain to her why she was in time out and as always hug and kiss her.
Good Luck!!

Answer 7

She is now old enough to know the basic's of right and wrong (my dad always told me that you know it is wrong if you don't want your parents to find out) which I think is a good rule of thumb, but of course she doesn't understand to that extent yet. Time out should be in a quiet "boring" place, such as a chair faced to the wall or corner. You can even go out and buy a cheap child size chair and designate it as the time out chair. Make sure there is no TV, toys or things that she enjoys within her grasp or what's the point? Time out should be done by one minute per year, she is about two so she should sit or stand in the corner for two whole minutes. Also, don't let her con you into any excuses like she is hungry or thirsty to get out of it, she won't die in two minutes from thirst. If she is potty trained or in training and says she has to go to the bathroom, take her there and when she is done she needs to be put right back into time out and finish out the rest of her time. Hope this helps and good luck with those terrible two's.

Answer 8

your child needs to be able to understand timeout. like, i did something bad, so now i have to sit here and think about it and i dont get to play because i was bad. if she cant think those things, its pointless and will just frustrate her because she cant connect the cause (bad action) with the reaction (timeout). try sitting a chair in a corner of a room where she cant watch tv or look outside. tell her WHAT she did wrong, WHY it was wrong, and that she is being punished because of it. it helps if they understand those things. plus, if she does things like lash out, have tantrums, etc, ignore her as long as she isnt killing herself. its an attention thing. if she sees shes not getting a rise out of you, she will get bored and realize you cant be manipulated into giving her attention. she only gets your attention when she is good. so its important to not only punish bad behavior, but reward good behavior. she doesnt have to be given candy everytime shes good, just verbally praise her, or give her special treats for doing something extra well. you can also try putting a marble in a jar everytime she does something good like use the potty or pick up her toys or finish all her veggies. explain that she gets a marble whenever shes and extra good girl, and when she gets, say, 25 marbles, you will do something special with her. Hope that helps! and good luck!

PS*** Remember that an imporant stage of a childs development is realizing that they are a separate person from their parents. they are testing and learing boundaries, learning and growing RAPIDLY, and learning independance. its important that you let them grow into their own person and become more independant of you, but they also need to know that in the real world there are consequences for their actions. so we have to find the balance, and its hard, but she will grow up happy and healthy, even though you feel like sometimes youre not gonna survive another tantrum.

Answer 9

About right now. As long as you know she understands that what she's doing is wrong. I would try facing a chair towards the corner..that's what I do. I use to have to sit in front of my son to get him to stay there though. Girls are a little different. Taking away favorite toys work too. But at this age time outs are best.

Answer 10

Patience is key. Their young, remember that. Mine started sitting on the couch or in a chair for their age (i.e; 2 yrs old means 2 mins) if they still wont listen they go back in time out or get another minute added on. When they get older, use a chair facing opposite tv or another they might try to get attention from for the time out.