Step-By-Step Time-Out
- Give a short warning with words, bend down to their level and state your instruction: “If you throw food again I will put you in a time-out.”
- If behavior continues, pick your child up or grab her by the hand, lead her to a chair and tell her, “You need to stay in time-out until Daddy gets you.”
- There is no reason to offer a complex explanation as to why she is there; she already had the warning so she knows the drill. Remember, the least amount of attention.
- If your child is 18 months-2 ½ years old, make sure the timeout chair is in the same room as you so you can make sure that he stays in time-out (without him knowing he is being observed- least amount of attention- you may want to talk to someone else who is in the room at this time).
- If she is 3 or older, make her sit in the next room- it is very boring by yourself.
- If he gets up from time-out, tell him you will count to three and if he is not in the seat, he will get a spanking- if you’re not spanking- tell him you will start the clock over.
- Spank him one time with a spoon if needed and then put him back in time-out.
- If he continues to push boundaries and get out of time out again- repeat unless you are avoiding spanking- then just keep putting him back in his chair while stating that he needs to stay or this will continue.
- Time outs do not begin until they are sitting quietly. From this point on it takes about a minute for each year of the child. Example: a three year old would be in timeout for three minutes.
- Once out of time-out she must apologize for her behavior.
A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed-without remedy.
Proverbs 29:1
Once you have accomplished a true timeout, you will be able to do it anywhere at any time. Your child may test you in public; they seem to know when parents are flustered.
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Proverbs 29:11
Therefore, when you are in public, pick a spot with some privacy for a timeout so that if you have to do number five, you can do it. This will relay the message that consequences are consistent, no matter where you are and your child can expect that in the future.
