spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

Just curious. Someone posted about their 18 month old, i believe, and time out. I have an almost-16-month-old who is very strong-willed... but can't see doing much with him yet, excpet being consistent about not touching this or that, not throwing his food on the floor when he's finished eating, etc.

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

DD started time outs at 18 mths and she understood them for sure and it def helped. GL

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

We started with a modified time out At 10 months old, and a true time out last summer At about 14 months. You can bet they get it At a young age if done correctly! At 2 years old my ds is very well behaved and just the threat of a time out whips him into shape!

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

I really think it depends on the child, and not so much the age. Lately we have been doing my version of a time out with my DS who is 21 months and I think he is beginning to understand it. If we ask him to stop something 3 times and he does not listen we make him sit on the couch until we feel he is ready to get off. If it is something that requires immediate attention we forgo the 3 time rule.

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

WE started time out arond 16-18 mos. And it works sometimes, but we designated one spot in the houese, that is out of site of the TV and his toys. We actually bought a small chair that is the timeout chair that we pull out only for timeout and it seemed to help DS understand timeout more. Again it seems to work sometimes but doesn't seem to prevent a undesired action but helps stop the continuation of one. Still working on finding the best method to prevent undesireable behaviors.

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

Putting on my behaviorist hat: time outs only work when it is removal from a reinforcing or a desired activity. So if mommys attention is the desired thing, mommy walking away is the time out. No naughty chair needed. If a child hates mealtime and gets a time out for throwing food it acts as a reward so it won't work. It only works if they are trying to get something else with their behavior but results in a time out instead.

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

I have found that "time outs" do not work.

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

I started tiime outs at 18 mos with DS#1 but he was more verbal etc. DS#2 is not quite ready for time outs and he's 17 months old. I believe they are suggested starting at 2 years old if I am remembering correctly.

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

Thanks so much for your replies everyone!

I can't imagine my 16 month old son actually sitting in a time out spot or chair... maybe he's one of those kids who has to be a little older for this.

Thanks again!

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

Posted by mrandmrs12

Thanks so much for your replies everyone!

I can't imagine my 16 month old son actually sitting in a time out spot or chair... maybe he's one of those kids who has to be a little older for this.

Thanks again!

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

OH, sometimes when I tell DS "no" he thinks it is HYSTERICAL.

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

How do you do timeouts with a one year old? DD is very strong willed with the car seat and diaper change etc. She also throws a fit if I take something away, etc. mostly when she is overtired though.

How do you go about doing this with a young child?

Re: spinoff to advice on disciplining a strong willed toddler: When is it suggested to start trying "time out?"

I was one of the time-out posters who started young - about 11-12 months.

I'm not sure DS understood completely then. He's almost 18 mos now and knows he's in trouble and knows not to move while he's there. He is starting to be a little more strong-willed.

2-3 times this week I told him to come get dressed (i was calling him from his diaper changing table) - he came part way and started playing w/ toys and said NO. He got a time-out. I called him out of it back to the changing table, he stopped to play with his toys and went back into time out.

Is it working? Sometimes yes and sometimes no, but we are consistent. He is still unhappy in them. He understand verbal commands but doesn't speak as much yet.

I think at 16 mos its worth a try to start.

At about 14 mos ds tried to get out of time out about 2-3 times and we yelled and put him back in. Right now, he usually doesn't get out himself - sometimes he scoots around to see what's going on. To me, that's okay b/c he can see what he's missing.
Sometimes I play w/ his toys or just sit near his toys if he is looking.

DS is usually very well behaved. I take him out to restaurants w/ DH or my mom - not applebees - nicer, places - same cost range.