parents - advice for time-outs?

Question

my daughter is 2 and a half, usually a very well-behaved child, but lately she seems to be doing things specifically to get time-outs, I give her a warning, she does it again, and when I go to put her in time-out, she says "no time out mommy, I sorry, I say sorry!" What do I do? I've still been giving the time outs to be consistent, but is that right? And any advice to stop this testing of me? Thanks

Answer 1

Your doing the right thing because you are showing her that saying sorry doesn't fix everything. You have to show her not to do it again. Your doing fine.

Answer 2

Be consistent. You are doing the right thing. Something that you can add, which is what I did with my son at that age, is tell her that the way she is going about doing things is only going to get her bad attention. When she behaves like that you will only send her to time out and get no more attention from that behavior. But if she really wants your attention to come up to you and ask you for a hug and tell you that she loves you. It worked wonders with my son.

Another thing, and I don't know if you do this or not, after the time out, don't even discuss why she was punished. Behave as if it never happened. Go about things normal. That way she will know that behaving bad will not get her the attention she wants, but behaving good will.

****************

While I am not against spanking, it seems her behavior doesn't warrant a spank on her behind. She is just trying to see how far she can go to get away with things. If you don't let her get over on you, then she won't try when she gets older. Discipline starts young, so that when they get older it's easier for you and the child.

Answer 3

Oh yeah she is definatly testing you lol. SHe is doing things she knows is wrong, to have you get angry. I hope that when she is in the time-out and sxays sorry mommy you tell her "I know you're sorry but what you did was wrong and that is why you are still sitting in the time-out." When her time is up, you then need to ask her why she got a time-out so she remembers the innapropriate behavior, and then have her apologize. Make sure she tells you why she was in the time-out before she gets up. That is another way to test you. I nannied for a boy once and when his time was up i would say "are you ready to talk about what you did now?" he would say no and i would have him sit there until he told me he was ready to talk.

Answer 4

Use their age to determine the number of minutes they are on time out. 5 year old gets 5 minutes, and so on. Pick one place they go to, like a corner, or a specific chair...the time out place. Don't back down because this tells the child they can get away with anything. Let her know you mean business. Then when the time out is over, wipe the slate clean.

Answer 5

Keep on being consistant and give her the time outs. She is testing you to see just how she might be able to get herself out of trouble. If she starts the whole "Sorry" routine, tell her "I know you are sorry honey and you can apologize to me and we can talk about it when you time out is over" and then walk away. With consistancy -this stage will pass.

Answer 6

This is the reason why I don't believe in "time outs". They don't phase the child at all and the child could care less if they are put in time out.

Start finding new ways to discipline her. Take away her favorite toys until she can earn them back with good behavior, take away a special priveledge like tv or playing outside, or even a swat on the butt would do her good it sounds like..

Answer 7

There is nothing wrong with spankings they work seriously. i was spanked and I've never had a tantrum in my life. i guess ppl think spanking is cruel and stuff and began to stray away from it, and now days you see all those children on the nanny 911 shows that have no respect for their parents. whatever method of punishment you choose be consistent, and don't let your child parent you. you're meant to be her mother not her friend. good luck

Answer 8

You're doing it right. Don't let those cute little words get to you. 2 minutes of time out is perfect.

Answer 9

the testing of you is not ever gonna stop

i would suggest to add a reward system to your method. make the reward something she really loves & keep reminding her.

once she sees the goal of the reward you'll be able to utilize that system to get what you need for her to learn

Answer 10

A couple of firm swats to her behind should solve that problem.
"Time outs" are a waste of time.