Do time outs work?

Question

Do we have enough research to know that time outs work. I mean it seems like a fairly new approach to parenting, I just haven't really met any young adults that say yes I turned out good because of time outs when I was younger all I hear is "my parents would beat my *** and I turned out fine...."

Answer 1

Time outs can work successfully if done correctly and for the right reasons. I have been a mom for 27 years (4 kids) and have provided daycare in my home for the last 20 years (50 kids). I have used time-outs on rare occasions when it was necessary for the child to be removed from a situation when other discipline methods were not successful. Consistency is the key with children. An example from my experience is I have a rule in my home that running inside is not allowed. When the kids run, I ask them to please walk inside or go outside to run. I give one reminder and then one warning of time-out before the offending child is put in time-out. Time-outs should be equal in minutes to the age of the child. I do not yell or grab or lose my temper. I calmly take the child by the hand, put him/her in the kitchen chair set aside for time-outs and set the kitchen timer. After the timer goes off, we have a little chat about what went wrong, why it's wrong, and we talk about what to do different next time. For daycare, it is one of the few acceptable methods of discipline. Parents often do not have luck with time-out because it is most often administered in frustration as a last resort. It is often too long and used for children too young. Children under 2 can not do time-out and some 3 year olds can't either. You have to know your children, know what works best, and be consistent.

Answer 2

Time outs work wonders with my 5 yr old daughter. I read this book that helped a lot with punishment. It is called 1-2-3 Magic by Dr. Thomas Phelan. It is based on the concept of time outs. You give your child three warnings (not for same thing each time) and then it is time out. There is no yelling or dwelling on what happened. This book is excellent and worked for me. All children are different however, and it may not work for everyone, but I definately recommend it highly. Check it out, and good luck!

Answer 3

I think a combination of several methods of discipline is best. You can't rely on spankings, time outs, or talks in and of themselves to resolve the issue... I am of the old school and believe it is okay to give a child a light spanking if severly acting out or disobeying- However for lesser offenses it seems to me that a time out in combination with requiring the child to tell me WHY they were put in time out (... and then discussing the problem together) is enough for something small... Children are people too with their own thoughts and feelings- I think we're too quick to rush to a spanking or a slap on the wrist when there are levels of appropriateness for each given offense.

Answer 4

Time outs only work for certain kids and certain ages. You just have to experiment and use what works best for you.

I agree with you, it seems the kids who were brought up with "spankings" for discipline seem to be more well adjusted as adults. I'm not talking beatings though. That's another story completely.'

Answer 5

Yes time outs work for minor things, or if the child needs some cooling off time (tantrums) but for major offenses a good spanking works best.

Answer 6

Every kid is different. some kids respond to time outs others don't. My daughter did not. She does however, have a 'think it over' chair. it has proven VERY effective. Just like a time out, except she has to sit on the chair.
My nephew has a pretty severe case of ADHD, and all the yelling, screaming and spanking in the world make no impact on him. He does respond to time outs if he is taken completely out of the environment, like sent to his room. His behavior has improved immensely since he has been on medication.
When my brothers and I were kids, and we were mini-terrorists,a real butt whippin' was about all that would straighten us out. We got them occasionally, and didn't like it, but were none the worse for it.
It all depends on the kid. All kids learn in different ways, and must be handled in different ways. Just remember, that the purpose isn't to punish a child, but to teach them.

Answer 7

yes, if they are done correctly. sending your kid to a toy laden room is not time out.

think of it this way, preschool teachers use them.. and they work. a whole classroom of kids can be controlled.. while some parents claim taht their kid is special and doesnt respond to time out. it is just laziness...

if you kids dont stay in time out, put them back.. and repeat this over and over. you cant lose because eventually your child will either give in or fall asleep. if you are consistent, it works.


to be honest, punishments that relate to the offense work the best. when your kids misbehave you should use that as an opportunity to teach them something, not just jump all over them and punish them.

Answer 8

I think time outs work. I don't have children of my own but I was a nanny many years ago when the time out craze started. The children that I worked with and many of their friends turned out great. One is in college and one is in high school. As a person who personally had her *** beat, I will tell you that it is not effective. I remember confusion, pain and deep sadness. Did I learn my lesson, yes but mostly because of what was said to me not because someone beat the crap out of me.

Answer 9

In most cases they do not work. Try just giving consequences for their actions, your Toddler can't play with a toy correctly, the toy is simply taken away and he/she must find something else to do. Choices also work very well, you can do either X or Y, which would you prefer? It allows the child to feel empowered to make their own decisions.

Answer 10

My parents never gave me time outs or threatened me. But for some reason I was scared of my mom. She just has this certain aura that spells "Authority!!" so I never gave her a reason to be mad at me. Moms know, too. She can just tell when we're up to something! It's scarey.

She just talked to me, and my dad too. We had mother-daughter dates and father-daughter dates. They also took us out for family outtings.

I think a strong family structure is all that's needed.