When do you think "time-outs" stops working?

addison_clark

My son is 4yo and is very good about going to time-out when told.  Afterwards, he will tell me why he had to sit in time-out and then apologize.  But it sometimes seems its no big deal for him.  Have any of you stopped time-outs and started something else, like taking toys away?

howleyshell

Sometimes it's just not a big deal to them.  They're able to be more rational as they get older so they don't flip out and cry.  They know they did something wrong and it's time to pay the piper so to speak.

As long as it stops the behavior I'm good with them seeming like it's no big deal.

If he's snotty about it he gets to go to his room for a longer amount of time instead of a shorter time out in the time out chair. 

schnappycat

I'm still trying to get them to work in the first place! Sigh. They have never worked for DS, so I'm wondering if they will for DD. 

I admit I'm envious of you! 

karleegirl

Older ds( who is 16 now) did timeouts till about 5 and then they quit working. They still work on younger ds (he's 4.5).

jlw2505

I have never used time out as a punishment but as a time for the girls to calm down so with my 3 1/2 and 5 year old - I still use them and honestly, I have put myself in time out at times.  At this point, if the kids are fighting over a toy - the toy goes into time out (meaning they lose it) and that really works.  The girls are put in time out when having a tantrum or just really not listening or fighting.  It gives them time to calm down and think about what is going on and gives them time to change the behavior.  I think it can work forever if you use it in a way other than for punishment.