A New Thing That Works

Week two of the holidays is about to begin. Take heart, they're back to school next month.

This is a new tantrum-stopper I thought of on Thursday, which you might like to try.

Scenario: Child A is whining because she wants to watch TV/
Child B is crying because his half-hour computer time is up/
Child A is shouting that she has been hit on the head with a skittle (no witnesses) and is determined to wreak revenge/
Child B is slamming metal cars into your foot despite your having asked several times not to/
all of the above.

That kind of thing.

You need: a timer. I use the buzzer on the cooker. I suppose you could use your watch or phone or an egg timer, but it is best if it emits an alarm of some kind when time's up.

First, whatever you normally do, like a warning that the unwanted behaviour is to stop.

Second "Okay, I'm setting the timer. You have got one minute (or however many minutes you think it'll take to get them to calm down ). Then the buzzer will go off. If you haven't stopped making a fuss/ shouting "poo poo face Mummy"/ kicking the underside of the table by the time the buzzer goes off, you have to go to your room (or the naughty step or whatever you do). "

Third, set the timer and ensure it is out of reach but within earshot.

Fourth, go and do something else, like you don't care.

The timer goes off. The child has usually stopped acting up by this point. If not, do what you threatened to do.

Repeat to fade.