Time Outs
July 15, 2011
We’ve been testing time outs for a few months, really waiting until Sydney was three to enforce them on a regular basis. Sydney gets several warnings before a time out unless she isn’t gentle, which results in an automatic time out. She’s been getting time outs for two main reasons. The first is pushing Sabrina over, or sitting on her, or stomping on her, or being very “ungentle” in some other way. The second is for the everyday things she knows she isn’t supposed to do – like throwing things – but she does anyway to test us.
Here’s an example of an interaction after one of her latest time outs.
Sydney – “Can you ask me why I’m crying Mommy?” Me – “Why are you crying?” Sydney - Because you put me in a time out and I don’t like time outs.
20 minutes later: Sydney – “I decided I like time outs Mommy.”
Hmmm. Maybe this time out thing isn’t working. I guess time will tell.
