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

[SunshineMama]

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.

I witnessed the entire thing and I can almost guarantee it wasn't an accident. He had time to cover his mouth for sure. I do not discipline kids for accidents of any kind. Laziness, carelessness, and purposeful disregard- yes. But accidents, no.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would not have.

But, I don't do time out at all.

[WImom]

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.

This is what do too. I understand your frustration though.

[CheekyChick]

As frustrating as it is, I would NEVER give a time out for something like that.
I believe if you asked your licensor or the child's parents if it they thought is was okay, they would say no as well.

I would just keep reminding, reminding, reminding. Three is still very young and manners are still hit and miss - ESPECIALLY with a bodily function that just happens suddenly.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

A time out for sneezing even when it was deliberate, and all over everyone's food, is a little over the top dont you think?

[Sugar Magnolia]

As frustrating as it is, I would NEVER give a time out for something like that.
I believe if you asked your licensor or the child's parents if it they thought is was okay, they would say no as well.

I would just keep reminding, reminding, reminding. Three is still very young and manners are still hit and miss - ESPECIALLY with a bodily function that just happens suddenly.

Exactly this!

[SunshineMama]

A time out for sneezing even when it was deliberate, and all over everyone's food, is a little over the top dont you think?

The time out was not for sneezing. It was for not following the rules, despite months of working with the child. I was unsure if it was over the top- that's why I am asking the panel of experts on the forum

I want to add that if the child were incapable of covering his mouth, then, after the time out, he would have not been able to cover his mouth for subsequent sneezes. Since the time out today, he has covered his mouth 100% of the time. This tells me that 1. He knows he is supposed to cover his mouth. 2. He is mentally and physically capable of doing it. 3. He was making the choice not to do it before.

Usually I have the patience to keep on with the same demonstration and training how to do it right, but after week after week of rotovirus, Hand Foot and Mouth, the Flu, and weekly snotty noses and colds, not to mention how much I teach them about germs, sanitation, etc, I gave into my frustration and he got a time out today. Future meals are now spared, and the kids will be in better health since he gets it. After thinking the situation through though, for this particular child, I think I did the right thing. One short time out stopped the behavior. We are all healthier now for it. He's a bright kid- he gets it. If he were only average or below I would hesitate, but he knows how to behave.

[Live and Learn]

:confused: I would not time out or this! Too harsh and probably not effective. Juicy sneezes are disgusting but not punishment worthy.

[MsMe]

The time out was not for sneezing. It was for not following the rules, despite months of working with the child. I was unsure if it was over the top- that's why I am asking the panel of experts on the forum

I want to add that if the child were incapable of covering his mouth, then, after the time out, he would have not been able to cover his mouth for subsequent sneezes. Since the time out today, he has covered his mouth 100% of the time. This tells me that 1. He knows he is supposed to cover his mouth. 2. He is mentally and physically capable of doing it. 3. He was making the choice not to do it before.

Usually I have the patience to keep on with the same demonstration and training how to do it right, but after week after week of rotovirus, Hand Foot and Mouth, the Flu, and weekly snotty noses and colds, not to mention how much I teach them about germs, sanitation, etc, I gave into my frustration and he got a time out today. Future meals are now spared, and the kids will be in better health since he gets it. After thinking the situation through though, for this particular child, I think I did the right thing. One short time out stopped the behavior. We are all healthier now for it. He's a bright kid- he gets it. If he were only average or below I would hesitate, but he knows how to behave.

I think in this situation you were right.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

The time out was not for sneezing. It was for not following the rules, despite months of working with the child. I was unsure if it was over the top- that's why I am asking the panel of experts on the forum

I want to add that if the child were incapable of covering his mouth, then, after the time out, he would have not been able to cover his mouth for subsequent sneezes. Since the time out today, he has covered his mouth 100% of the time. This tells me that 1. He knows he is supposed to cover his mouth. 2. He is mentally and physically capable of doing it. 3. He was making the choice not to do it before.

Usually I have the patience to keep on with the same demonstration and training how to do it right, but after week after week of rotovirus, Hand Foot and Mouth, the Flu, and weekly snotty noses and colds, not to mention how much I teach them about germs, sanitation, etc, I gave into my frustration and he got a time out today. Future meals are now spared, and the kids will be in better health since he gets it. After thinking the situation through though, for this particular child, I think I did the right thing. One short time out stopped the behavior. We are all healthier now for it. He's a bright kid- he gets it. If he were only average or below I would hesitate, but he knows how to behave.

Ok I understand what you are saying, but I think being excused from the table and not being allowed to finish lunch due to bad manners would have been more appropriate.

Children do not think like adults do, yet. That is why they need the constant reminding. And even as adults we dont always cover our mouths.

As for all the illnesses, by the time the symptoms have shown up everyone has already been exposed to the illness, so there really isnt anything we can do about it.

Time outs should only be used for correcting bad behaviour like hitting swearing, ect.

[Soupyszoo]

:confused: I would not time out or this! Too harsh and probably not effective. Juicy sneezes are disgusting but not punishment worthy.

She wasn't punishing him for sneezing! He didn't cover his mouth and sprayed the table.

At some point even a three year old, who is capable of covering their mouth, has to take responsibility for their decision. She said he did it on purpose AND that he hasn't NOT covered his mouth when sneezing since.

I think time out worked.

[SunshineMama]

She wasn't punishing him for sneezing! He didn't cover his mouth and sprayed the table.

At some point even a three year old, who is capable of covering their mouth, has to take responsibility for their decision. She said he did it on purpose AND that he hasn't NOT covered his mouth when sneezing since.

I think time out worked.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

She wasn't punishing him for sneezing! He didn't cover his mouth and sprayed the table.

At some point even a three year old, who is capable of covering their mouth, has to take responsibility for their decision. She said he did it on purpose AND that he hasn't NOT covered his mouth when sneezing since.

I think time out worked.

Well Im curious to find out what mom thinks about this.

If my child told me that their DC provider put him in a time out for sneezing on everyone's food, even though disgusting, i would be p!$$ed.

Being excused, I would understand.

[GrannyJ]

I think you did the right thing, it worked!!! I don't see where a time out is harsh punishment as long as it is done for an appropriate time and they know why they are on time out. Other wise it isn't going to work.

[dEHmom]

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 mean to nitpick at you, but just wanted to point out that this is actually a "reaction" not a response.

I'm not going to give you a hard time, and I don't want you to feel bad, but I wouldn't recommend discipline/punishment for sneezing. I understand your frustration over the matter, but sometimes we forget that kids are just kids. Even my 8 yr old forgets sometimes. Actually even I have sneezes that come on and for whatever reason I don't cover my mouth (hands full, comes on too fast, etc). Regardless of if it was on purpose or not.

I think pp was right, Excusing from the table is a better option than timeout.