For the first time since Liam hit the “terrible twos”, I feel powerful. This newfound power is thanks to my recent implementation of the disciplinary tool, "Time out!" My friends told me about this method before I never used it until about two weeks ago when I was at my wit’s end. It worked.

Liam was throwing a huge tantrum and would not put on his coat and shoes to go out. I crossed my hands in the sign of a “T” and called a “time out”. I dragged him into the corner of my living room and told him to stay there until he was ready to stop screaming and to put on his outer wear. Surprisingly, he understood he was being punished and did not move from the corner. He just continued his tantrum. I walked away and returned a few minutes later, asking him: “Do you want to end the time out?” “Yes,” he yelled. “Then, will you put on your shoes and coat?” I responded. He replied with a big “No!” “OK,” I said. “Then you will continue the timeout.” I returned to the corner several times, every few minutes, before Liam succumbed. During our final interchange, he meekly agreed to bide by my wishes if I ended the time out.

Over the next couple of weeks, Liam was given a handful more time outs: when he threw a tantrum because he did not want to get out of the bath tub; when he refused to brush his teeth; when he hit his baby sister Clara and would not say sorry; when he would not share his toy with a friend etc. Each time, he capitulated and followed my orders after a few minutes of time out. After awhile, he began to understand that I am serious. I no longer have to give him an actual time out. I just need to ask him whether he wants one. He usually declines and becomes immediately agreeable.

The cute twist is that Liam has now begun giving time outs to his little 10 month old sister. A few times, when Clara was crying uncontrollably, he made the “T” sign and said: “Time out, Clara! Time out!” Of course, I explained to him that only Mommy and Daddy had the authority to give time outs. It was adorable nonetheless.

I am not sure whether this tool works on all kids. For me, I am happy that I finally have an effective way of controlling my kid’s tantrums. My only regret is that I had not started the program earlier.