www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
37
COLUMBUS CIVIC CENTER MARCH 27
WWW.SESAMESTREETLIVE.COM
HOO’s PARENTING Ta k i n g
Timeouts !
I remember my one and a
half year old testing all the boundaries. He knew
exactly what “no” meant, but would still try to climb that shelf
or open the fridge. After correcting and redirecting time-aftertime
with no results, I referenced one of my favorite reality
shows, “Super Nanny,” for guidance and put him in a corner for
timeout. He sat there! It was like this corner had some magical
magnet attached to his bum. Per the nanny’s advice, I started
timeout for one minute (a minute per year of age) and after that
one minute, I came down to his level, explained why he was put
in timeout, gave him a hug and sent him along. All was better. I
was amazed! A few days later, tested the timeout “trick” in front
of Dad. BAM, the kid went to timeout on his own, sat there for
his minute and ended completely “reset.” Dad was in awe, and I
was a super mom! My son is three, and this is one of my biggest
parenting successes. Since we started timeout at such a young
age, I’m convinced he’s programmed to respond. We’ve been in
Target and he will be having a meltdown, I tell him to
go to timeout, he finds the
closest corner, sits his butt
down and completely resets.
Here are some tips to make timeout successful in your home:
• Timeout is a reset. Don’t treat it as a punishment, it’s a time
to modify behavior & take a break from an unwanted action.
• Timeout needs to be in solitude. To reset, your child needs a
moment alone. Don’t talk to your child in timeout, keep other
children away and reset in an area free of toys or distractions.
• After timeout, explain why. At a young age, your child may not
understand the cause and effect, but explaining to your child
why they were put in timeout will eventually create a clear
expectation of consequences for unwanted actions.
• Every child is different. Timeout may be the most effective
redirecting strategy for my child, but it may not work for
yours. Consider your child’s personality and create a parenting
strategy best suited for their needs.
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by Maria Phillips,
Family & Kids
/www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
/WWW.SESAMESTREETLIVE.COM
