Is Time Out Appropriate For Sneezing W/O Covering Their Mouth?

[SunshineMama]

Do you think time out is an appropriate disciplinary action for a 3 year old not covering their mouth when sneezing?

I have asked and demonstrated too many times. Today 3 yr old dcb sneezed all over the lunch table and everyone's lunches. I put him in time out.

Now I am wondering if that was appropriate or just a response to me being so frustrated with all of the sickness going on. He understands that he has to, I think he is just choosing not to. Thoughts???

[JenNJ]

I wouldn't put anyone in time out for a bodily function or manners associated with it.

Sneezes come on suddenly. I am an adult and I don't always cover quickly enough.

[Blackcat31]

Manners such as covering when coughing or saying please and thank you are habits that need to be honed, supported and encouraged.

I would never use time out or any form of punishment for failure to use these things. VERY inappropriate in my opinion.

[littlemissmuffet]

Do you think time out is an appropriate disciplinary action for a 3 year old not covering their mouth when sneezing?

I have asked and demonstrated too many times. Today 3 yr old dcb sneezed all over the lunch table and everyone's lunches. I put him in time out.

Now I am wondering if that was appropriate or just a response to me being so frustrated with all of the sickness going on. He understands that he has to, I think he is just choosing not to. Thoughts???

I don't think a time out is appropriate. However, I would seperate him from the other kids during playtime and mealtimes until he starts covering his mouth consistantly. eating alone and playing alone will likely get old for him real quick.

[JenNJ]

I don't think a time out is appropriate. However, I would seperate him from the other kids during playtime and mealtimes until he starts covering his mouth consistantly. eating alone and playing alone will likely get old for him real quick.

I think that is harsh too. It's as if you are punishing a child for having a cold. Isolation for sneezing is inappropriate. More so than a time out IMO.

[littlemissmuffet]

I think that is harsh too. It's as if you are punishing a child for having a cold. Isolation for sneezing is inappropriate. More so than a time out IMO.

I don't see it as a punishment at all. The OP said this child knows how to and she feels he just isn't doing it. Like I said, after eating alone and playing alone a few times, he'll be more apt to remember.

Just my opinion. I respect what you're saying though.

[SunshineMama]

Thanks for your opinions.

I would never do time out for pottying in pants, etc. This particular child just goes around and coughs and sneezes and just doesnt care. He even will do the fake cough and not cover his mouth.

All of the other kids cover their mouths, so I feel that his action is a deliberate choice of him being lazy, which was combined with me bring frustrated that he sneezed all over everyone's food, hence the time out.

I have only done the time out this particular time, but after reading everyone's responses I will reconsider ever doing it again.

...on a side note, he has sneezed 2 times since my post and he covered his mouth both times.

[Country Kids]

Do you think time out is an appropriate disciplinary action for a 3 year old not covering their mouth when sneezing?

I have asked and demonstrated too many times. Today 3 yr old dcb sneezed all over the lunch table and everyone's lunches. I put him in time out.

Now I am wondering if that was appropriate or just a response to me being so frustrated with all of the sickness going on. He understands that he has to, I think he is just choosing not to. Thoughts???

Did you have to throw all the lunches out? Thats what would have made me mad!

I'm constently battling this with kids also. I get the there are germs/runny noses and such but the parents need to help us teach the kids what to do. I think my learned when I had to take the three days of straight last month. I think it opened their eyes about no sickness at childcare and no drooling, sneezing, coughing, etc. I found out that two of the families were very sick over spring break.

[SunshineMama]

Did you have to throw all the lunches out? Thats what would have made me mad!

I'm constently battling this with kids also. I get the there are germs/runny noses and such but the parents need to help us teach the kids what to do. I think my learned when I had to take the three days of straight last month. I think it opened their eyes about no sickness at childcare and no drooling, sneezing, coughing, etc. I found out that two of the families were very sick over spring break.

It was toward the end of lunch and they weren't eating much anyway so I just tossed the rest (Goodbye mango and avocado and organic chicken-ugh) and lunch was over. I wasnt going to serve them a new lunch just so they could not eat in again.

I am just so over all of the sickness. Ugh!

[itlw8]

yes it is way to harsh.... I would have the child practice the sneeze into the elbow and then have the whole group practice the elbow.... then the child again and a talk about germs to the group.

but time out... heavens no.

[Soupyszoo]

I think I would have been frustrated too, and can honestly say I might try the timeout thing too.

I hear what everyone is saying, but what would you guys commenting do in the same situation.

I don't think she was trying to make him feel bad, but when you've told a child numerous times to do something and you KNOW they KNOW what to do... What ARE you supposed to do?

Someone said separate them during activities and maybe they'll catch on? What else can she try? I personally have similar situations and I'm at a loss too

[melskids]

I have had a child look right at me, sneeze on someone, (very dramatically I might add) and then laugh about how "funny" he is.

So I think in certain situations, yes, I would discipline for that.

But if it happened to fast for him to catch, and it was truly an accident, then he didn't deserve a time out.

[Soupyszoo]

I think that is harsh too. It's as if you are punishing a child for having a cold. Isolation for sneezing is inappropriate. More so than a time out IMO.

What if next time he sneezes at the beginning of lunch and all the food is ruined? All because she's worried he will feel "bad".

I think this is the perfect time to isolate him. He's old enough to know to cover his mouth when he sneezes, coughs, whatever... He's old enough to sit alone and understand, "you're sitting alone because you need to prove to me that you can cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough."

Let's say a parent walks in during meal time (not his parent) and sees this guy sneeze all over everyone and their food...

She has to think about the other kids.

[SunshineMama]

yes it is way to harsh.... I would have the child practice the sneeze into the elbow and then have the whole group practice the elbow.... then the child again and a talk about germs to the group.

but time out... heavens no.

I have been having them practice that way and reminding them for a few months now, hence the frustration.

I am open to any other suggestions

[MrsB]

Can I suggest that maybe he is noticing that it bothers you so much and he sees it gets you frustrated? Some kids hone (sp?) in on catching adults off guard and dont even really realize it. One of the hardest lessons I learned in caring for children. Dont let their actions effect you. Let their actions effect them.

I understand that not everyone will agree with me and has different philosophies but this is what I would have done. I would have him eat his lunch on a lunch mat on the floor. (they are just towels) At the lunch table we have to respect the lunch manners or you dont get to join us at the table. Not a punishment, just a place where he can practice his table manners himself. Once he has mastered them (like sitting on your bottom, holding cups with both hands, eating with your mouth closed, using your fork, covering your mouth to cough or sneeze) you can join the rest of us at the table.

At first some of them think that the lunch mats are cool and ask to use one. I say sure go for it! Once they realize they aren't part of the group down there around the corner from us. They realize its not so fun and rejoin us.