We've been struggling for about six months now with "how" and "when" to start disciplining James. He's been increasingly aware of when he's doing something Mama and Daddy won't like...and now he's starting to act "guilty" when caught in the act. What's a new parent to do?
The real driving force is the danger of some of James' antics these days: fishing around in the kitchen drawers (think knives, scissors and the like), playing with the stove knobs, standing on the living room tables, throwing himself down on any soft pile of blankets or pillows (including running down the length of the couch and falling onto the cushions)...and laughing at any attempt we make to put forward an air of authority. So, we need a method and consequences for dealing with this behavior. While James understands what "no" means, he doesn't respect it. Some follow through is badly needed.
So we've had our first foray into time-outs in the naughty chair. After giving 3 fair warnings and a notice of imminent time out, I plunked him down in a chair away from everyone and all the toys, and....he stayed there for nearly a minute! And he behaved for awhile after that! After his minute was up, I told him again what he did wrong and gave him a hug.
If only it could stay this easy....
the sweetest quilt (a work in progress)
12 years ago
There's always the 'potch in the tuchas' threat. That seemed to scare Mark into being good. He'll tell you I squeezed his arm as I intoned these words...but is is misrembering. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine said she always gave her kids a choice of "Stop doing .....whatever OR go for a time out". She used the sitting facing the corner timeout. That way it was the child's choice to have a time out or behave. Grandma IJ
I forgot to say that we've been giving over-the-top praise when he does some thing good. Maybe it'll help influence his choice?
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