Terrible Twos . . .

A few weeks ago, my daughter celebrated her second birthday.  She really is a fun, bright and happy little girl.  She is also at an age where she is testing me more and more each day.  There is almost a five year age difference between my son and my daughter, so I have forgotten how trying this phase can be. 

Some of the challenges I face with my daughter are hitting her brother, trying to open up cabinets or telling me no when I ask her to do something.  Does any of this sound familiar?  To help with my sanity I have gone back to using "Time Outs".  Thankfully my daughter is responding to them.  When she is doing something she shouldn't, I ask her to stop.  I tell her if she doesn't, I will give her a time out.  Sometimes she stops the behavior.  Mostly she keeps on, testing to see what I'll do next.  I give her a time out.  I don't yell, I don't get annoyed, I don't lose my patience. I stop what I'm doing and pick her up and tell her, "Time Out." 

In my house, she sits for her time out in a regular chair in our family room.  I don't believe in having a dedicated "naughty" chair.  I set the timer on the microwave for two minutes - since she's two years old.  I don't engage her during the time out.  The only time I will communicate with her is if she gets down.  I pick her up and put her back in the time out.  She caught on pretty quickly and it's only been a couple of weeks!  She might get down after 30 seconds and starts apologizing.  I kiss her, tell her it's still time out and put her back.  When the time is up I tell her why I gave her a time out and ask her not to behave that way again.  I ask her for a kiss and hug.

My daughter about to turn 2 boycotting taking a picture with her brother.

 

This form of discipline really is a great tool when used consistently.  We both get a break from the behavior.  It doesn't hurt that we also get a little peace and quiet to regroup and move on.  Some days she might have only one time out.  There are days when she has had a handful too.  It is so easy to get irritated and raise your voice or lose your patience.  Giving a time out in a controlled, confident manner sends a better message to your child.  It tells them you are not tolerating an undesired behavior.  Children are incredibly smart and learn very quickly.  With consistency they will learn to move on instead of potentially getting a time out!