How much time out do you give a 10 month old?

Question

You are welcome to come over for free lunch if you want to claim that she doesn't know what she is doing. She is exceptionally smart, which means that she knows right from wrong. I quarantine her in her crib or playpen. She looks and acts about 18 months old, but thank goodness is not yet walking, just standing. I love her to death but I've never seen so much personality at such a young age.

Please stick to the question without second guessing. If you want to know what she did wrong, in this instance, she hit me when I took the phone away from her.

Answer 1

Well i think that because babies have such a short memory that maybe a couple of miinutes will be enough. Congratulations!

Answer 2

Time-outs are not appropriate for 10 month olds. They should only be used starting at age 3. It's not that she doesn't know what she is doing, it's that she doesn't know what she is doing is wrong. She is either reacting out of anger or testing you to see what will happen. A 10 month old (unless she has been diagnosed as gifted by doctors) is incapable of understanding time-outs, right from wrong, or self-control no matter how intelligent you think she is. This does not mean you cannot begin teaching her now. When your child hits, respond immediately, firmly, and calmly. Say, "No hitting." Then take her away from the object or scene of the crime. Do this every time and eventually she will get the idea. Remember, a child under 2 years old is incapable of understanding that others have feelings. Good luck and try to stay calm. I know how frustrating it can be.

Answer 3

time out is not appropriate until the child is at least 2 years of age (3 is the ideal age).

children that young often forget quickly what they did wrong, if they even realize it in the first place. A firm "NO!" when she hit you and maybe slapping her hand to let her know this behavior is not acceptable will get your point across alot more than time out will.

a ten month old lacks the mental capacity (even an 18 month old for that matter) to sit in a corner, or quarantined in a crib. they won't fully understand why and may associate it with you not loving her or wanting to be around her.

just be firm and continue with the "NO" anytime she does something that is not appropriate. keep the phone or other toy she wants to play with off limits for a while until she has calmed down enough to play with them w/out hurting others.

i'm not judging you-i have 3 little girls (ages 8,6,and 5) so I know how frustrating little ones can be

Answer 4

If she hit you, you hold her hand, look her dead in the eye and tell her "NO HIT." Then you put her down onto the floor and walk away from her (or if not possible, the other end of the room) to let her know that what she did was wrong.

No matter how much personality she has at 10 months, a time-out isn't feasible yet, I'm sorry.

Answer 5

If you feel she knows, then I would only put her in the corner (if that's what your doing) for a 1 1/2- 2 min. Corners usually feel a lot worse than a playpen, its usually 1min for every year old the child is, but maybe a min. or so extra would be needed. I work at a daycare and this is the system we go by.

Answer 6

Usually, when I have responded to my son (hitting me, etc) he thinks it is a game and keeps doing it. At such a young age, I usually ignore obnoxious behavior, unless he is totally out of control or in danger. Time outs are normally based on the age of the child at that age...so, since your daughter is almost one, I'd say one minute. My son is two and he gets two minute time outs. I don't think they get the concept beyond a minute or two.

Answer 7

She might have 'so much personality', but she is still 10 months old, and will not understand time out.
Honestly, so many people say time out doesn't work, and when I hear of the ridiculous ways people want to use it, I see why!
She didn't 'hit' you, she just hit at you, she doesn't understand what hitting with intention even is.
Some parenting classes would probably be good.

Answer 8

Time outs are not appropriate until about two years of age. I don't care how smart you think your child is, you really need to do some more research on child development. She simply is unable at this time of her life to have any impulse control. She may very well know that you don't hit mommy but she cannot control the impulse. Based on my research and my personal experience as a mom, I'd say impulse control doesn't really even get started good until about age three. Talk to your pediatrician about appropriate expectations and discipline.

Answer 9

I would say 5 minutes at the most, but to be honest with u even though u think she is mature for her age u cant justify a time out for a 10 month old, it just isnt right. she will grow up feeling isolated and even though she hits u u need to say no no and smack her lightly on the hands to show her it is wrong... but not time out...

Answer 10

If she hit you, you should have hit her little butt back. Children are much smarter that some people seem to believe. I believe that discipline is key in keeping children in line my grandma gave me the some butt whippings that I thought I would hate her forever for and I still have scars from one but I thank God that She did because I would not be the strong and successful person I am today. I am not saying beat your kids, I am just saying don't try to be the friends because as hard as it is to believe children respect a good parent more than a perent trying to be their friend.

Answer 11

Good for you for being a mom - and one that will not put up with this kind of behavior. Do NOT ignore this - hitting is not acceptable, and they do know right from wrong to a point. Have her sit (gently hold her there is needed) for no more than 1-2 minutes. I did this with my son beginning at 9 months old & he learned pretty quickly.