My son is getting more timeouts everyday! Not only that, but he seems to be getting worse at them too. See, we practice the Super Nanny technique for timeouts. This is has been very successful for us and I highly recommend it to anyone! (despite our recent troubles) You may have heard me refer to it before, but let me explain what its all about.
First, you give warning, and tell them if they do that thing again they will have to sit in the naughty corner (or on the naughty chair, or on the naughty rug, etc.). How long they have to stay there is dependent on their age; they get 1 minute for every year of their age. Our son is 2, so he has to stay there for 2 minutes. This doesn't sound like long, but there's a catch - if they leave the naughty corner, you put them back and the time starts over
The Power Struggle
Our son has been coming out of his timeouts all the time lately, then he has to be put right back in. I know he is just testing us and seeing who has the power in the relationship. Sometimes he walks out looks at me, waits for me to stand up, then walks back to his naughty corner. About a week ago we had a marathon timeout session - 2 minutes turned into an hour! I didn't count, but I probably had to put him back in timeout close to 100 times. After about 20 minutes, it becomes hard work, but It is so important to show them who's in charge.
I think this marathon timeout was an important step in our relationship though. It was so hard listening to him cry, but he now knows to take me seriously, that there will be consequences for his actions, and that he needs to listen to me. Since then, he's still had some long timeouts but nothing more then 30 minutes.
Our children test us and try to undermine our authority and "power" in so many way! There are tantrums, foods they will refuse to eat, games they just have to play, etc., but just remember you are in charge!
Have you experienced this? How does your son or daughter test you?
Ideas and Discussion on how to be a Better Husband and a Better Father!
