Do Time-Outs Need a Time-Out? Some Thoughts on Disciplining Kids! by Ann Marie Patitucci

Psychologist Montrose M. Wolf developed the “time-out” technique as a learning tool to shape kids’ behavior in the 1960s, and the technique has become popular since then. However, according to Dr. Mary C. Lamia, “In using time-outs parents unintentionally convey that they are unable to contain their own feelings and cannot tolerate their own negative response … to the child’s behavior.” Dr. Lamia asserts that:

• Psychologically, kids may respond just as poorly to a time-out as they would to physical punishment due to the rejection and social isolation, which are experienced as shame. 
• Shaming experiences lead children to believe their entire self is bad, rather than just their behavior. 
• Discipline is different than punishment. Time-outs are a punishment.

Great food for thought! What do you think? Read more about time-outs and kids here!