I have a 2 year old and he "doesn't do" timeouts. I can put him in a corner with no toys, no attention and because he knows he is in trouble he laughs hysterically and leaves, or kicks the wall, or climbs up the couch, or tells his little brother that he needs to come play in time-out too. I don't want to send him to his room because I don't want him to associate bedtime with being in trouble (I did it once and it took 2 weeks to undo it-sheesh!) The only thing that works for me is to sit him on my lap and pin his arms. I'd rather figure out timeouts though. Any tips?

My youngest would just run out of the corner at that age. I was just consistent in putting her right back in that corner and the time didn't start until she was planted there (1 minute for how old she is). And yes at times I just had to sit her on my lap. Now she is 4 and I point to the corner and she goes. Just be consistent and he will learn. Or have you tried to take something away from him like his favorite toy.

Yes I agree. We learned from watching Supernanny. You have to keep putting them in time-out over and over and do not start the time until they are sitting there and you have to re-start every time they get up. If you don't get it under control now it will just get worse. Your 2yo is testing you and it sounds like they are winning. They know you will just eventually let it go and they don't have to do time-out. Be strong and stand your ground. Good Luck.

My 21mt old will sit in time-out just fine. So I don't believe people who say 2yo are too young for time-out. We've been doing it since dd was 15mts old and we don't have to do it that often. HTH.

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Mommy to Hope (10.10.06)
Monkey mommy to Allyson (10.13.02)

When I started time outs with ds (about 18 mos), I had to hold him on my lap. I would make sure I was in a boring spot and I would hold him and count in his ear. Now he will sit in the corner or on a chair, as long as I am facing him. If he tries to scoot away or get up, I just put him back. I don't say anything until his time is up, then I reiterate what he did wrong and what he should do next time. It took awhile, but he did eventually get it. For awhile he even thought it was a game, but I just kept doing it and he got over it being fun.

I have also been using time outs less lately and instead give him a consequence that fits what he did wrong. If he throws his toys, those toys get put on the mantle for awhile. If he pulls all the books off the shelf or his clothes from his drawers, he has to help me put them back. If he uses a whiny voice to ask for something, he has to use a nice voice and ask politely if he wants a chance. The consequences seem to be helping, then time out is reserved for big things like hitting or refusing to help with a consequence.

We don't do timeouts. I have a 4 year old and a 14 year old. My 14 dd says I'm a pushover and she's right! But guess what, she's an honor student and I get compliments from her teachers and other adults all the time on how well behaved she is and what a great kid she is, so I guess skipping the timeouts didn't have any ill effects I just talk to my kids that's it, that's all. I try to find out why they're acting the way they are an go from there. Sometimes I yell and sometimes I'm cranky and grumpy, who isn't? - when I am I apologize later and when they are they apologize for it. I know I'm probably the lone one on this but it's worked for me!

PS I hope this doesn't sound too cocky, I definitely don't think I'm wonder parent! I'm just saying timeouts don't work for every parent or every kid.

I have never really done time outs with my kids either. I will remove them from certain situations and talk to them about it.

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