Calling a Time-out

The first reference to a 'time out' when it came to parenting, wasn't a form of discipline, contrary to popular belief.
It was a form of restraint.
For parents.
The Ad Council conceived a public service campaign called "Take Time Out...Don't Take it Out on Your Kid" at the beginning of the 1990s. 
Why do we call our kids on the carpet and put them in 'time out'?
To make them think about what they did wrong.
How many of us take time out to think about what we're doing wrong as parents?
Or how we can be better?
Words and especially how we deliver them, can have the same impact as a physical blow. 
The physical blows will eventually heal.  The emotional ones run deeper and take a longer amount of time.  If ever.
How many times have you lost patience with your son or daughter?  While you may not have physically unloaded on them, but you shouted a barrage of four-letter words in their way?
Either way, you've lost control.
When you're on the verge of losing it, walk away.
Get a hold of yourself.
Count to ten if you have to.
Then return to the situation.
Put the child in time out.
In case you're wondering how long, go by age.  Two years old, two minutes.  Five years old, five minutes.
Then return to them.
Ask them if they know why they were put in time out.
If they say yes, ask them to tell you.
And remember your tone when speaking.
Explain future consequences and why it's important for them to do what they're told.
And always end the conversation with a hug and a kiss.
Because it's still important to let your child know that they're not bad.
They're still good...all they did was a bad thing.
Yes, there is a difference.


NEXT WEEK:  Judge to be Judged