Time Outs...Do They Work?

I think everyone has watched the Super Nanny at least once.....and this is her thing.  The "naughty spot" or time outs.  We have been using this age old disciplinary measure since J Girl was about a year or so.  But, does it really work?
If you would have asked me this before yesterday, I probably would have said, "Yea, sure...works for us."

but not anymore

Let me give you a little background first.....J Boy can be VERY hyper, but he is 22 months old, so that is expected.  But when he is told to sit in a time out, he is very obediant.  He will sit down, and not get up until he is told (god, that sounds like I am talking about a dog, but really, J Boy is my son).  I know, I can see the bewilderment on your faces....you are thinking...why complain, it seems as if its working. 
Now this brings us to yesterday...J Boy  was throwing matchbox cars at his sister. My normal reaction is to  take the offending toy from the boy, place him in the time out chair and explain to him why his actions are incorrect.  So that is what I did, only NOW the boy can talk....so as I am making my point he is nodding his head and saying, "'kay, 'kay, 'kay" in a very condescending voice (can you believe the little shit!)  At this point, I decide that he needs to sit and think about what we just discussed, so I walk away. 
Just as I am outside of arms length of him, he laughs, hops off the chair, picks up a car and hurls it at me all the while still giggling like a school girl!

TIME OUTS DO NOT WORK! 

These moments bring me back to when fathers use to take their children in another room, lay them over their lap, and beat them with their belt.  Welts don't last for "their age in minutes"...their sting is much longer, and a constant reminder of what they were being disciplined for.

But I am quickly brought back out of the stone age and into reality where beating your child is considered child abuse and puts a huge damper on their ego. So what does a Mother do you ask?  I yelled for his Father to deal with him....there, take that you little imp...now your Father is rounding the corner...watch out, you hear me....here he comes....and he's probably gonna....drum roll please......................................
tell you to knock it off and give your hair a little ruffle, because come on, he's a boy, he's supposed to be rough and tough and full of gruff.

That's what I am dealing with folks....now you understand. 

Comments

[Robert]

Do time outs work? Maybe in sports. With kids? Ummmm, NO. But I think you already knew the answer to that. For me to elaborate on an answer here in print would get me tarred and feathered by the politically correct. :)