When to start using time-outs???

Laura - posted on 04/30/2009

My kids are 5 and 16 months. I started time outs with them when they were 10 months. Every child is different. You are the only that knows your child better than anyone else. It's up to when to start. Some kids start terrible 2s early and need the reinforcement, and there are also children who just don't need them. I personally think that if you know the child understands most of what you say than you should start using some form of punishment.

Esther - posted on 04/30/2009

My son is 16 months old too and although I know he's smart and understands most of what I say, I personally find him too young for time outs. I read a book by Jo Frost/Supernanny (who is my child rearing hero) and she says to wait until 2 years old, which sounds about right to me. So I'm holding off.

Darlene - posted on 04/29/2009

I agree with everyone's comments. Just rememeber, it'll take a while for her to comprehend it. I had a friend tell me, "Well, I tried it once, he wouldn't sit!". I had to laugh. I started with my son when he was 13 months and it took him about 2 weeks before he'd stop getting up. Now, he puts himself in time out if he knows he's done something 'wrong'. Right now, he's at the stage where he slowly walks to something he's not supposed to touch, then looks to see if I"m watching. If I am, he pretends he wasn't going to do anything! They comprehend a lot more than we give them credit for!!!

Danielle - posted on 04/29/2009

My son Ian is 16 months old. I have been using time outs for about 3 months. He knows what time out means and usually listens to us. We give him 2-3 warnings depending on the severity of what he is doing. (If its dangerous there are no warnings) He does sit in time out w/out getting up until we tell him to. We then hug and I again remind him why he was in time out. Just to note, I only put him in time out for 1 minute.

Tara - posted on 04/28/2009

Avery's 16 months, too, and I JUST started in the last week or so (working on stopping his "hitting" before he starts to think that's okay). The advice I got from experienced mommies was 1 minute per year of age (or a little past a minute for our perfect little angels - lol). I use the word "no" typically only for big stuff (I shake my head or do a "mm-mm" for little reminders here and there instead). Once I say "NO" and he knows I mean it, and he does it again (or doesn't, depending on the situation), then, as Erin posted, it's the "1, 2, 3". Then, if he STILL doesn't do what he's supposed to, he's picked up and sat in a particular corner of his play area and told he's on a time-out. The first few times, he totally freaked out. Every time he'd try to get away, I'd gently put him back in his little time-out spot until he realized there was a reason he was there. Even though they can't communicate with us, they totally understand a lot more than I think we give them credit for. The hardest part for ME during this new time-out action is trying not to a) crack a smile or laugh, and b) give in to his drama about being SO SAD that he's being "punished" until after those 70-90 seconds are over. =)

Erin - posted on 04/28/2009

I've been doing timeouts with Maia since 14 months, and she definately comprehends! I would highly recommend reading 1-2-3 Magic and it has some really good advice for how and when to use timeouts. Its works great for us, Maia know's if I reach the count of 3 its timeout and now I usually just have to tell her no to something and ask if she needs a timeout and she'll say "No" and stop what ever she's doing.