“Mommy I think you need a timeout” I will never forget those words!! Waiting at the check out stand with two young boys wanting ALL the candy they perfectly display by the Cashiers. MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY MOM MOM MOM MOMMY—I was about to blow and I think it was written ALL over my face because when I told my boys “It stops now or you will get a timeout” was when my son said, “Mommy I think you need a timeout” and he was right! I needed a break…just get home send them to play and take 5 minutes to myself.
I now take timeouts when I see that I am losing my patience or becoming frustrated with the situations. My boys are getting older but getting better at asking more questions or raising their tone. I am not perfect at this “Mom thing” but learning what works for me.
I can play outside all day with my boys. I sometimes do. However, I will go inside the house and tell them all I need a 10 minute nap before dinner…then I take it. I don’t ask…I know what is needed to continue having a great day.
Moments that I clearly remember walking away from:
- My son playing with the cooler and unloading all 5 gallons of water on the kitchen floor.
- My son spilling an entire gallon of milk and full bottle of chocolate syrup on the kitchen table because he was trying to make a glass of chocolate milk.
- My boys breaking 2 dozen eggs on the kitchen floor because they thought it was hysterical EVERY time each egg hit the floor and cracked!! (I had white tile)
- My boys painting their bathroom cabinets with my nail polish!
I’m sure more of these moments are in my future!! I wouldn’t trade them for the world but I do not like yelling or speaking in anger. I am Latin and German and LOUD so please know that it takes a lot on my part to work on this “Mommy Timeout”. I have learned a lot of patience through my kids because the damage is all ready done, clean up is the only thing left to do.
If you don’t take timeouts what do you do to get through your day?
I do take time outs. My girls are 14 and 13 years old now, and I STILL take time outs. I’ll never forget the first time I was snapped out of my delusions of adequacy and dominance with regards to parenting. My oldest was 2 1/2 at the time — it was Thanksgiving — and I was preparing to host my 3rd Thanksgiving dinner of the weekend (long story). I was STRESSED! I started ranting on my daughter about things that had absolutely nothing to do with her – it was all about being overwhelmed and not coping well.
She let me finish. She looked at me – and she said, “Mommy, when you’re finished having your problem with me – may I have a cup of juice?”
I’ve been different ever since. Though I still get overwhelmed – I’m very clear that the issue lies within me at these times … and I do my best to take Time Outs.
You’re awesome!
That was so cute of your daughter!! I love how kids put life in perspective for us! Life is overwhelming at times but as long as we take our “Timeouts” I think we will be okay! Thank you for sharing such a cute moment
I never thought about a mommy timeout before. It is something that all moms need at some point. It beats yelling at or taking our frustrations out on our children with our tones. I have a feeling I’ll be taking a mommy timeout myself someday.
i find that when i am exhausted/tired, hungry, frustrated, or having a bad day, my poor Macs get the brunt of it. If I am really mad a work or the students at work or the other teachers at work, I haven’t eaten (skipped lunch), and feel like there is not enough time in my day, I BLOW A GASKET. I mean my tantrums could compete head-to-head with an irrational toddler of two tantrum…if you know what I mean. Unfortunately, my vocabulary can become more colorful and, ahem, advanced than a two year old’s. It’s like an out of body experience. I see myself saying/doing it. I can’t stop. I should, but I just can’t. And, of course, I always feel like an arse afterward.
Great post. Maybe I need to go put myself in time out so I can be rested for tomorrow and to prevent any more toddler tirades.
[...] I am the crazy Mom on rainy days playing outside. We toss a plastic silver ball back and forth to each other while running in the rain—we just laugh for hours! I am the type of Mom that pushed my boys down a steep hill on their bikes so they would love the joy of speed. (Keep in mind, I am also they type of Mom that needs her “Mommy Timeout“.) [...]