Time Outs

Our primary form of discipline is time outs. To this day Lacie does not do them well. I have gotten to the point that I have to just put her in the chair, and walk away. If she gets up than I have to ignore her. If not, than it becomes a very exhausting wrestling match as I try to get her back into time out. She is a strong little bug - that if for sure. One day a few weeks ago she was not staying in time out so I just shut the gate that separates the kitchen from the family room. John and Euitag were in the family room and I went in the back of the house to do something. I kept hearing Euitag and John laugh harder and harder. I thought they were laughing because Paul did something funny. When I entered the room, this is what I saw:

Lacie hanging on the gate. She knew that she should not come over it so she just hung on it crying, "get me out of here." Well, while it looks pitiful - she even laughs about it now.

Paul on the other hand takes time out like a true man. His offenses are when he hits Lacie out of anger. If he gets mad at anything, he hits. He hits me, Lacie, the dog, the couch - etc. If I am fast enough I will grab his hands gently and tell him "no hit." That is typically enough to stop the impulse. But - sometimes I am not fast enough. So, then he has to go to time out. He only has to sit there a minute. That is long enough for a little guy. Then he has to go say he is sorry to the person or thing he hit. He is so sweet. Since his only spoken word is still Mamma, he will walk over to Lacie and just put his sweet little arms around her and hug her. That is acceptable to me.
Here is Paul in time out:

Amazing the difference, huh? Time out is effective for Paul - it gives him a moment to distract and then he is over his temper. I think hitting is a normal toddler response to things - I hope he grows out of it soon though. We were so spoiled with Lacie. She never hit, bit, kicked, or did anything aggressive. (ok she bit my mom once, but it was not out of meanness - it was just a love bite I think.)

Have a good weekend - we will be very busy. More to blog about - if I can ever get caught up.

Vonda