We have a no throwing rule in our house. The punishment for throwing something is time out for 2 minutes. My 2 1/2 year old son Lucas caught me tossing my keys on the counter and told me "No throwing, mama, time out." I didn't know what to do. I had in fact broke the rules, but should I allow my son to discipline me? I was torn between telling him to not tell me what to do and going in time out. I ended up in time out for two minutes. When I was done Lucas gave me a hug and a kiss on the forehead and said "I love you, good job in time out, no more throwing." Just like I say to him. I hope I made the right decision. Any thoughts?
Thank you all for your comments and ideas. At first I was just so stunned that I couldn't really react. I was amazed that he actually understood cause and effect in this aspect. He hasn't thrown anything, but it has only been a couple of days, and I have been on my best behavior:)
Hi E.,
You did everything RIGHT, trust me I have children from ages of 40 to 5 years old. Enjoy this wonderful child, have a Blessed Holiday.
____@____.com
Although you can't let your son make the rules in your house, I think that in this situation, you did the right thing by taking his time out. You have obviously raised a very bright and fair-minded boy. Showing him that you obey the rules only reinforces these values. Good job, E.!!!
I really have no advice, I just think that is so cute. I think he showed you what he has learned. I don't know if what you did will help him obey or if he will think he can tell you what to do. I hope all goes well in the future.
S.
I think our kids learn best from our example. Rules and discipline work great until our kids see us modeling behavior that is the exact opposite of what we are trying to instill in them. I think that allowing your son to see that you are following your own rules is good for him, but I am not sure that you need to sit in time out everytime you don't. Intead of sitting in time out, or telling him to not tell you what to do (which can totally back fire when he figures out that he can use that statement on you when you are diciplining him) maybe tell him that you are sorry for breaking the rules and that you are going to try very hard to not break the rules, but you are also the mom and mom is an adult and adults don't sit in time out, timeouts are for children. And then make sure that you are striving to follow your own rules. I by no means am a professional, but that is how I would try and handle it. Two year olds are very smart as I am sure you already know and I think that sometimes we forget that we can still talk to them and try and explain things to them in very simple terms because they do understand. I also think that it is good practice, for us as parents, for when they get older and communication can sometimes be non existent. Just my thoughts, hope they helped :)
i think it does go both ways. and if you think about it, if you don't have to go by the rules, why should they? that will make him want to disobey it on purpose and he'll use that argument against you.. kids are smart. i would let him "discipline" you.
E.
WAY TO GO ON TAKING YOUR PUNISHMENT.NOW YOUR SON WILL BE MORE WILLING TO FOLLOW THE RULES SO HOW DID YOU DO IT WITH OUT LAUGHING OUT LOUD
You did the right thing. I time myself out or if the kids catch me they tell me the rule as your son did. It shows the kids that we as adults make mistakes to but have to do the time!
Way to go Mom!
Mother of Four
M.
Good job following the rules you set. We are the example so we need to follow the rules we set if we want our children to follow them also. As they get older it will teach them that there are rules everywhere and they aren't the exception to them. Thanks for the laugh! That story cracked me up!!
In my house, Daddy has a time out chair too! They don't understand the difference between their punishment and others so I think it was good you went to time out. When he son gets upset or hurt (i.e. trips and falls or something) he will say bad "whatever" timeout!
Hi E.,
I'm not sure what I would have done either. I just wanted to say your story game me a good laugh. How did you not crack up when he said that? Kids are so smart.
Chris
That is hilarious! I think you did the right thing in putting yourself in time out. Rules are rules!
