Things You'll Need:
- Patience
- Patience
- More patience
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Step 1
When your little one is acting up or throwing a fit, most importantly keep your cool. If you are upset it will only make things worse.
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Step 2
First, tell them they are going into time out. Say something like "You didn't listen to Mommy so now you have a time out". Then without any further talk, put them in their Time Out Spot (a chair, mat, etc). The spot should always be in the same place and away from distractions (toys or anything else they can put feet or hands on).
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Step 3
The general rule of thumb is to keep the child in time out according to how old he/she is (2 years old = 2 minutes and so on).
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Step 4
If they get up from their "spot" (and they most likely will!), calmly pick them up and put them back, without talking. Do this again and again until they stay put. And each time they get up, the time starts over!
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Step 5
Once their time is up, it is important to make sure they know why they were being punished and that everything is now OK. Get down at their eye level and in a calm voice explain to them "You had to go in time out because you didn't share" or whatever the case may be. In my daughter's case, I always say "Will you share next time?" or "Do you understand?" to reiterate my point.
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Step 6
Last, make sure and give them a big HUG and an "I love you!" before letting them leave.
