Has anyone locked their children in their room for time out?

Question

Do you ever lock your child in his room, bathroom, or closet? Which one? and for how long?

My reason asking is because I heard on the radio today that a father was sent to jail for child abuse for locking his 11 year old child in his room all day. The kid obviously told his school and they reported it.

I do lock my child in his room but just for 7 minutes (his age). If I didn't lock it, he'd come out.

Answer 1

I'm thinking after you posted this you got concerned that you shouldn't have. As you see, there's as many for as there is against. I don't think 7 minutes is too much. All day would be in excess though. I put one of those gates for the stairs in my kids doorway at night, because I'm worried they'll get up and wander into something they shouldn't. Sometimes I put in up during the day, like if I'm mopping the floors, but I wouldn't put it up and just leave them so I could have time for myself.

Answer 2

I've never had to lock my child in his room for time out. There is a huge difference between doing it for 7 minutes and the whole day. I wouldn't worry too much about it, especially if your child understands the reasoning behind the time out.

FYI, I have locked myself in the bathroom when I needed to get away from my kids for a few minutes without interruptions.

Answer 3

~Most of the evils in life arise from man being unable to sit in a room~

Bathroom likely has too many sharp objects. I personally got the closet, which was a horrible experience that only taught me to fear my father. In his room would be just fine. It teaches patience, helps develope a thought process that can cope with idle time (which is lacking in today's society!), and above all, respect.
Once that child is old enough to realize the emotions of parenthood and their own child is acting out; you'll be so proud that your child will use the same measures to tame their's and not give in to their first reactions.
I'd set the time period based on what you think their attention span can accomplish. But give them something to think about and make sure to let them know the problem with the behavior and solutions that would have been better.
Best of luck!

Answer 4

I was never locked in a room because my parents always had me sit in a little chair in the dining room, along with my sister (so they could see us from the living room). We sat there until they thought it was fine for us to get up, but as soon as we acted out again, in the chair we went.

BUT, that's not the only thing they did. If we cursed or talked back to them and we didn't listen when they said "don't say that ever again" they would put soap in our mouths, liquid or scrap a bit of the bar on our teeth. HORRIBLE, BUT it worked! We thought twice b4 we talked back, lol.

To me, locking a kid in a room doesn't help, he has access to all his toys and stuff to play with. Punish him by taking everything away for a day or a couple days until he learns. That's what my parents use to do til i was like 14yrs old LOL

Answer 5

I don't lock them in the bedroom, but use a naughty chair (there are too many "fun things to do in the bedroom") - they are not allowed to get up from the chair until I get an apology and we talk about the reason for punishment. My kids are 8 and 5.....

I have heard of others using a dining room - or some other stimulant free room until said apology is received....

Answer 6

I have 3 children and my son being 12 has been the ultimate challenge,as a result of his bad behaviour as i cud not punish him with a smack or lock him in his room as i knew he would trash his room,whilst at school 1 day i took his tv out of his room not being able 2 use his play station,x box or dvd hurt him more than ne other punishments.He started 2 behave 2 days l8r e ad his tv bk now wen e is bad i take the tv it doesnt happen all that often,hiphip hooray!!!!

Answer 7

i have but my child in his room and held the door shut. locking them in their for a couple of minutes doesn't mean child abuse. All Day is another story. No bathroom, food, that is neglect. I wouldn't lock him in a closet to scary, its way to dark that's freigtening for a child. and a bathroom they could get hurt.

Answer 8

I never locked them in anywhere, because of what you cited. I always took control from them like this....instead of 7 minutes in their locked room (against law) I would make them stand in a corner with their nose in the corner. now they had to keep their hands behind their back and could not talk or wiggle. the time started over when they did this. If they did not comply...they got a single swat on the bum...and still put their nose in the corner..this usually led to a nap though as they were probably tired and couldn't concentrate on obeying Dad. I found great success in making good behavior very comfortable...and misbehavior or disobedience being very uncomfortable. Not necessarily painful...but not comfy

Answer 9

take a parenting class ... it will help this war going on between the 2 of you. your right, locking a child in a room is considered abuse. kid has toys? lock them in a closet and put them in time out. reason ... earn the priviledge back ....and further more, if you want a certain behavior from the kid, role model it ... kids learn from their environment. there is no such thing as a brat, just stupid parents that dont know how to discipline ... my experience .. i have 4 of my own kids, all well behaved because i taught them that .. not locking them in rooms, not yelling at them, getting off my *** to teach them ....

Answer 10

I say that you should never lock your kid up...you should teach them that they have to respect you and then stand them in a corner where you can watch them that is torment to feel locked up like an animal kids are not animals you have to think what if you where 7 and you got locked up...even for 7 minutes that would be scary if you didnt know that you where going to be able to get out...Im not saying that ur parenting is wrong bc maybe that is what works for your kid im just saying that i couldnt do that to mine