Time Out!

We're not opposed to spanking. Both my husband and I were spanked as kids, and we turned out fine. Balanced. With lasting, loving relationships with our parents.

That said, we're not ready to spank Daniel. As long as alternate forms of disciple work, we'll stay away from anything physical. (Punishing violence with violence still doesn't add up in my head).

Time outs are our weapon of choice, and we've been using them on a regular basis - so far, with success. Daniel hates to be ignored, and a few minutes alone in his designated time out spot is enough to reduce him to tears, apologies, hugs, and a change in behavior.

The other day, we noticed how well he's been paying attention. Daniel looked his beloved Rhino ("Zona") square in the eye and said "Bad Choice! Time Out! Two Minutes!" and handed her to me to receive her punishment. I obliged and put Zona on the floor, gravely saying, "You're in time out for two minutes, Zona. You made a bad choice."

Zona was a trooper, and after just a few seconds had passed, Daniel reached for her and asked if she was "ready to be all done?" He made her nod "yes" and gave her a big hug.

Ten seconds later, he hit his arm with her head and said "Bad Choice! Time Out! Two Minutes!"

He is quite the over-zealous disciplinarian.