Timeouts, are we doing it right?

Our 2 year old has started hitting, a lot!
When she does we put her on time out for 2 minutes at the end of the 2 minutes we ask her if she's ready to say sorry, if she says no she ztaya there until she is ready. We make her apologize and explain to her why it's bad.


S/o is complaining about how "its not working". & I keep trying to explain to him that its going to take time and that we need to be consistant with it -__-.

Sounds like you're doing it right to me! how long has it been since you started doing the time outs?

This is my professional opinion as an early childhood educator...

First I don't believe in making children appologize. If they don't mean it it's a worthless practice. They will begin to understand the cox pet of appologizing when they begin to feel remorse for their actions. So when they cry because they hurt skmekne and feel bad that's when you would talk about "you feel bad, you know you can make it better by saying I'm sorry and giving her a hug". But until about age 4-5 they are usually pretty egocentric and do not understand others feelings. They begin to show competence in recognizing the feelings of others usually by giving them an object that they find comforting when they realize skmekne is upset, then by assuming theyre upset because of a reason that would upset them, then they progress into showing interest in why someone is upset and finding out what they can do to make them feel better.

Ok for the time out, if she's hitting it is appropriate to remove her from the situation for safety until she calms down. But just makig her sit in a time out to think doesn't really do much. But once Shes calm and can understand you (when a child is upset so not bother reasoning with them, they're thinking with the irrational part of their brain) tell her you love her and you cannot let her hurt her sister. Tell her ts hurtful when we hit. Talk about what she can do instead. For sxample, instead of hitting sissy come get mommy. Then when she Goes to hit again say "remember what do u do when I feel like hitting?" And remind her to come tell mommy. It takes a lot of patience and reinforcement but it does work.

Quoting lolajessup:" This is my professional opinion as an early childhood educator... First I don't believe in making children ... [snip!] ... do when I feel like hitting?" And remind her to come tell mommy. It takes a lot of patience and reinforcement but it does work."

I think I need to take an early childhood class, lmao. Now that my kid is 3 and new things are happening, I have no idea how to react appropriately!!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Colt's mommy:</b>" I think I need to take an early childhood class, lmao. Now that my kid is 3 and new things are happening, I have no idea how to react appropriately!! "</blockquote>

Omg girl I'll share anything. You have to remember this is years Of education and working with preschoolers. It's hard work haha. Imagine being patient with one kid and then try to do that with 18 kids at a time (that arent yours at that) haha!!! And some things don't work with some kids. So you have to whip out your back up strategies haha. But for most typical children these things will work. I usually only get like 1-2 a year who are "exceptional" haha

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Colt's mommy:</b>" I think I need to take an early childhood ... [snip!] ... haha. But for most typical children these things will work. I usually only get like 1-2 a year who are "exceptional" haha"

So far DH and I have done pretty good, but it's hard when I've never ever been around young children before! I have NO experience, haha. My son is in the "Why" and "what's that mean" stage. omg... I'll say "get me a spoon" and he'll say "What's get me a spoon?" He says it for EVERYTHING! It's super cute until he actually wants a response for something that I don't know how to explain, he assumes I know everything and get's upset when I don't, lol. And apparently I'm not good at making things up...

<blockquote><b>Quoting Colt's mommy:</b>" So far DH and I have done pretty good, but it's hard when I've never ever been around young children ... [snip!] ... to explain, he assumes I know everything and get's upset when I don't, lol. And apparently I'm not good at making things up..."</blockquote>


What we do when we don't know something is say "I don't know the answer, let's go find out" and we go to the computer and research it. Children need to learn we for always have the answers but there are tools we can use to find them  

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Colt's mommy:</b>" So far DH and I have done pretty good, but ... [snip!] ... computer and research it. Children need to learn we for always have the answers but there are tools we can use to find them  "

I need to keep this in mind! He never asks DH "why" all day long, just me, lol. DH DOES know all the answers (if you ask him anyway, haha). I'm going to PT you hun, thanks!!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Colt's mommy:</b>" I need to keep this in mind! He never asks DH "why" all day long, just me, lol. DH DOES know all the answers (if you ask him anyway, haha). I'm going to PT you hun, thanks!!"</blockquote>


Awwe he respects you and trusts you  

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Colt's mommy:</b>" I need to keep this in mind! He never asks ... [snip!] ... (if you ask him anyway, haha). I'm going to PT you hun, thanks!!"</blockquote> Awwe he respects you and trusts you  "

He's the ultimate mama's boy!