Strike is over!

[conuly]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Of course, Monday I lent Jenn my Metrocard, and she still hasn't returned it ('twas no doubt useful for using the SIRT trains), so I still have to walk tomorrow :(

Today, we cadged a ride from somebody to go to the museum, so that was fun. Except for the pre-museum part, when I had to do Ana's hair. And I guess I hit a snarl, because she starts complaining that it hurts, and pulls away from me, and won't let me finish. Naturally, I tell her that if I don't get to finish it, she gets a time-out. And so, after I count to three, she climbs into bed and declares that she wants a time-out.

Which says a *lot* about her.

I'd been using a timer for a few days during her time-outs, but then I realized that she really, really, *really* was scared of the ding, eventually to the point of crying "It's loud!" and holding her ears during the whole two minutes. While I'm sure her sheer terror is an effective motivator, I really don't think that's fair. So, no more timer. Which means her time-outs sometimes end up accidentally extending past two minutes as time flies (despite my lack of fun). There has to be a way around this that doesn't involve me staring at a clock.

Comments

[ladytalon.livejournal.com]

I new, quieter timer? Some phones have them built in. A radio alarm clock? A free downloadable alarm for a computer? I think Outlook will do an alarm too.

I hated our kitchen timer when I was younger. I used to watch it like a hawk and grab it to muffle it just before the ding. So loud.

[chem-nerd.livejournal.com]

Do you have a microwave with a timer?

[gingembre.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about getting a Flylady timer...maybe later in the new year.

[marveen.livejournal.com]

Egg timer, or similar tiny hourglass timer?

[conuly]

I'd have to keep an eye on it, though.

[tsukikage85.livejournal.com]

Hmm... I wonder if they have visual alarm clocks, like for deaf people... Or maybe you could have her watch the sand timer, and when she leaves her room you check to make sure it actually ran out?

[tsukikage85.livejournal.com]

By the way... I'm surprised that two minutes is enough of a time-out for young children... Do you think you'll have to increase it as she gets older?

[conuly]

One minute per year of life. Two minutes is just enough time - too much, and she may forget why she's there, or feel (rightly) that the punishment is more than the crime.

Mind, if she's still kicking, screaming, or trying to hit me when I come in, she stays there "until you feel better, honey".

[tsukikage85.livejournal.com]

Smart wording. :)

[ladytalon.livejournal.com]

I new, quieter timer? Some phones have them built in. A radio alarm clock? A free downloadable alarm for a computer? I think Outlook will do an alarm too.

I hated our kitchen timer when I was younger. I used to watch it like a hawk and grab it to muffle it just before the ding. So loud.

[chem-nerd.livejournal.com]

Do you have a microwave with a timer?

[gingembre.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about getting a Flylady timer...maybe later in the new year.

[marveen.livejournal.com]

Egg timer, or similar tiny hourglass timer?

[conuly]

I'd have to keep an eye on it, though.

[tsukikage85.livejournal.com]

Hmm... I wonder if they have visual alarm clocks, like for deaf people... Or maybe you could have her watch the sand timer, and when she leaves her room you check to make sure it actually ran out?

[tsukikage85.livejournal.com]

By the way... I'm surprised that two minutes is enough of a time-out for young children... Do you think you'll have to increase it as she gets older?

[conuly]

One minute per year of life. Two minutes is just enough time - too much, and she may forget why she's there, or feel (rightly) that the punishment is more than the crime.

Mind, if she's still kicking, screaming, or trying to hit me when I come in, she stays there "until you feel better, honey".

[tsukikage85.livejournal.com]

Smart wording. :)