When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

One of my SIL started giving timeouts to her 2 yo. son. He's a bright boy but prone to throwing fits if he doesn't get what he wants.

He's also still using his pacifier because that's the only thing that shuts him up when he's naughty....

When would you guys give your kids timeout when they misbehave? And do you think 2 yo. is too early for this?

Thanks....

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

i defintaly do not think 2 years old is too young. I have been giving my son time outs since about a yr & a 1/2.

Now (he'll be 2 in a month) if he tests me I will say to him, do you want a time-out?" and he'll say no mommy! and stop whatever it is that he's doing.

I feel that if you dont start disiplining until older, you will be creating a "monster" and its very difficult to "undo" the damage-that is,the child thinking they can get away w/whatever.

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

I think 18 months is an appropriate time for discipline. I think before the age of 3 the only behaviors that should be controlled are ones that would hurt themselves or others.

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

I just started time out with my almost 16 month old...

He really dosent understand- but one day it will all click ...

When he throws things or does something he is not supposed to- I sit him down wherever he is, and explain we dont do this etc..., we only sit for like 20 secs... and when its time to get up- its followed by a hug, and I love you... and let me tell you- he does not return to doing the wrong thing!!! So I believe its teaching him SOMETHING!

If the 2 yr. old went to daycare- he would be '"disciplined" by having to sit in a "thinking chair" So IMO 2 yo old is DEF NOT TOO YOUNG

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

not too young, but to this day I find it easier AND more effective to put his favorit toy in time out.

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

I may be a minoritiy, but early 2's and before, IMHO, is ineffective. They really don't contemplate the whole effectiveinessof it. I've take the toy/object away and moved on.

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

I give my 2 year old time outs. She gets it.

ETA: She's 2 1/2 and we started doing it with her a few months ago. I would also question it but there were a few incidents that made it clear to us that she totally understands the concept.

Message edited 1/7/2007 9:36:36 PM.

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

We've done time-outs with DS around 2 or so. My thoughts are, even if it's too young for him to "get it", he'll be used to it when he is old enough. How do you know when they are technically old enough? If you start early, you'll catch them as soon as they are ready. At least I hope that theory will work...

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

Posted by GoldenRod

We've done time-outs with DS around 2 or so. My thoughts are, even if it's too young for him to "get it", he'll be used to it when he is old enough. How do you know when they are technically old enough? If you start early, you'll catch them as soon as they are ready. At least I hope that theory will work...

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

My daughters have had time outs & they are 14 1/2 months. I do it when they hit eachother or their brother. They have no clue & it's for I'd say a minute (if that long)

Re: When Is It Too Early For Timeouts?

I started giving time outs to DD around 12 months, mostly for biting. They were only for 1 minute at a time, but she definitely got the concept and now at 2 discipline is fairly easy because she knows she will get a time out if she is bad and it deters her.