So I got the disciplining down to a pat at home with my 15 month old, timeouts for a minute etc. now how do

Question

discipline him when we are away from home i.e. a friends house, the mall, a store etc. when there is no where to put him in timeout and if there is he is too fascinated with his new surroundings that he doesn't even care about being in timeout. at home i have a lil playpen that i put him in for time out. any suggestions would be so helpful!! thanx

Answer 1

Time out can be anywhere... even at a friend's house.  I've been known to plop my little one in time out in the grocery store.  :)  If time outs are being used effectively, they will work anywhere.  That's the beauty part about it.  I put him down near a wall usually, let him know he's in time out and stand VERY close, but ignore him... even if he's totally throwing a fit.

You may want to start putting him just on the floor or next to a wall... somewhere that is his "hot spot" at home.  That way, he can get used to restraining himself... instead of letting the playpen do the work for him.  The whole point is that he's being told to not get up... to stay in one spot.  If he's getting up after you sit him in the playpen and standing crying at the side, it's not really having the desired effect.  

My little guy is 15 months, too, and originally, I did use the playpen for time out (worked like a charm!).  Then, we had a friend and her baby stay with us and they needed to actually use the playpen for its intended purpose, LOL.  So, I was forced to be creative.  I eventually found a spot that worked for him... and sometimes when he knows he's done something wrong, he sits HIMSELF in time out... Ugh, I do my best not to laugh. :)

I was recently at a kiddie-pool party at a friend's house... my little guy did something to warrant a time-out... and right there on the grass next to the lawn chairs surrounding the pool he served his time-out.  He wasn't happy about it, but he stayed put.  So, yes, even at 15 months, it can be done! :)

But do try to designate a new time-out spot... that way, you can make one ANYWHERE and he won't try to escape.  It will take some work the first few times (which is why it's best to start at home), but he'll quickly get the idea... and you'll look like mom of the year! :)

Answer 2

I give one warning that if the behavior does not stop, we will leave.  I have only had to do that twice.  Also, if there is a lot of activity, I will cut him a little slack if it is because he is excited.  If its a tantrum - out the door we go.  

Answer 3

You are confusing "discipline" with "punishment."

When you are away from home, you leave.  If at a friend's house - leave (or don't they have any empty corners?).  At the mall - DEFINITELY leave.  Just leave.

Answer 4

what I do with my daughter is one or two things I always bring one of those umbrella strollers and if she gets out of hand she has to sit in the stroller she hates it because she wants to walk around and touch everything but it's taking her out of the situation of  getting into things. or I will sit her on a bench or a chair and just sit until she calms down but you have to sit right infront of him or he will get up again. the stroller thing works the best for me.

Answer 5

I make mine stand in the corner facing the wall....

Answer 6

When my sister in law is at the mall and her 2 year old gets out of hand, she makes her go sit on one of the benches for a few minutes to chill her out.