We all need a little time-out sometimes! If your family uses time-outs, your Time Timer and these 9 tips can help.
Your Time Timer can take the punishment out of time-out – and turn it into a valuable learning experience.
First, ensure that your child understands which behaviors are acceptable and which are not:
1. Write the House Rules. Define consequences in advance – so you’ll be consistent every time. Post the House Rules where everyone can read them easily.
2. Use your Time Timer to set time limits. No more Mom and Dad yelling TIME IS UP! Your children can see it for themselves and be empowered to manage it.
“I love not being the bad guy anymore,” says Matt K, father of two. “I kept giving in to the endless ‘five more minutes’ requests. Now it’s peaceful. My girls set the Time Timer, and when the red is gone, time is up. The arguments just disappeared.”
3. Give one calm warning. No two. Not six. Not seventeen! One calm warning. Reference the House Rules.
4. Encourage decision-making. If your children are bored, angry or hungry and acting out, help them choose an activity to do with the Time Timer running. Having a time limit can calm and comfort a child who’s acting out.
“The only iPhone App my little ones are allowed to use is the Time Timer,” says Christy, mom of 2. “I say, “Take deep breaths until the red is gone.” No more fussing. Works every time.
If a time-out is called for, your Time Timer can help!
5. Place your child someplace where he/she feels safe and can relax.
6. Drop down to eye level with your child. Explain in a calm, low, assertive voice exactly why he/she is in time out.
7. Set the Time Timer and place it up high where you child can see it easily, but can’t reach it.
8. If your child repeatedly gets up and tries to leave time-out, then calmly place him/her back in the time-out spot. Don’t talk or give attention to this behavior.
9. When time-out is over, and everyone is calm, drop down to your child’s eye level again, ask for an apology, and chat about what he/she is feeling so everyone can learn for next time. See how Super-Nanny does it >>
Try these 9 tips for successful time-outs. Remember: BE CONSISTENT every time! If you say “No” five times and give in on the sixth, then your child learns that “No” doesn’t mean No.
Has the Time Timer helped you do a time-out? Share your story in the comments!