Anyone put their kid in time-out at WDW?

[ChiTownZee]

Let me just say youngest DD is nothing like her older sister was at 2. I'm not sure Rachel has ever fallen asleep in a stroller, being up past her bed time is NOT a good thing, flexibility is not her strong point and this girl is SO strong willed, BUT if she gets put in time-out during one of her many tantrums (I don't remember tantrums like this with 1st DD!) She often comes out of time-out transformed, with a smile. So I'm envisioning melt-downs because we have to leave buzz and woody or she has to get off a ride and not having any options. What have you done at the parks during a tantrum? Maybe WDW should put "naughty mats" around the parks like on Super Nanny?
And just to ease my guilt about talking negatively about Rachel, she isn't always a total terror, her preschool always tells me how happy she is (she is a happy girl when not in tantrum) and she is very loving, snugly girl, she's just VERY strong willed, which I'm happy for, it will serve her well later in life. (right now it sucks though LOL)

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We've done the time out thing at WDW. We usually just have them sit on a bench to calm down for a few moments. The heat and everything else can be overwhelming for them so they can't help it sometimes. I guess I wouldn't say that they had an official time out- more of a collect yourself quietly for a few moments time out.

 

[Stimpy]

We've done a few time outs in Disney too (as well as restaurants, malls, parties etc) I find a quiet corner where there isn't alot of people around and activity and just have the "offender" sit there for his/her time. We are a little more lenient on vacation....but very little. Both kids still need to follow the rules and behave appropriately where ever we are.

BTW, I can sympathize! My first child, DS, was an angel child compared to my second. My DD, sounds very much like your DD. I love her to death but I'm already dreading the teenage years with her I don't know how we got such totally different children sometimes!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

As a baby and toddler, DS was always more flexible and easygoing than DD, but on our first WDW trip, he must have been overstimulated - I've never seen such tantrums before or after that trip! Our second day at MK we'd ridden Goofy's Barnstormer - for him - three times and he blew up when I would not let him go back for a fourth ride (he had already had a fit in line at ride #3 because he had to wait for the children ahead of him). I told him that we were going to Fantasyland and he had until we got there to bring himself under control or he'd have a time out. He didn't listen and continued to howl all the way to the Tea Party - and when we got there I kept DS with me for the time out while his well-behaved sister got to ride the attraction. He was quite angry, but I told him he would have the chance to calm down before the next ride, or sit that one out too. He caught on, and was fine for the rest of the day.

Later in the week, after having minor meltdowns and insisting on having everything his way for half of the World Showcase, he finally imploded and had to have a time-out at the American Pavilion. Actually, the entire family was so frazzled with each other at that point that I announced that we were going no further until we'd all gotten happy again! We sat in the shade by the Kidcot stop for over half an hour, sipping cool drinks and just recharging. After that, he was so good for the rest of the WS that we took the boat to MGM so he could have ice cream at his favorite place (Dinosaur Gertie's).

 

[brymolmom]

We've done it and will again in September I'm sure. My 2.5 year old dd is very strong willed as well - and always likes to keep us challenged!

Best advice I can give is to ignore the rude stares you will likely get when your little one is melting down. Many, many people think it's entirely your fault that your 2 year old is acting like a normal 2 year old.

On our first day last year we went to our room, let the kids take a 2 hour nap and got in line for our FIRST bus trip to our FIRST park. There dd decided to have an all-out meltdown (NOT because she was overtired and we were 'forcing her' back to the park, NOT because we give into her all the time, NOT because she was revved up on sugar) - she decided she wanted juice and we never carry juice in the diaper bag so I offered her water. DD decided to melt down and I decided to ignore her dramatics. She was at it for a good 10 minutes and since we were only in a bus line I didn't worry about ruining anyone's view or anything, so we let her calm on her own (finally she asked 'mommy can I have some water?'). Anyway- I tell you the looks I got...lots of opinions about situations others know nothing about.

I will likely do our timeouts in the stroller. Neither kid (2 and 4) like the stroller but will ride in it when tired and will be allowed to walk part of the time if well behaved. But they will be relegated to the stroller if I reach 3...

 

[CEDmom]

We've done it not just at WDW but during other vacations as well. We just try to find a quiet spot and rest for a little bit. On vacation we try not to refer to it as a time-out but rather just a break. Mostly because the break is usually needed due to excitement and over stimulation rather than misbehaving. It's amazing how 15 minutes can change everyone's mood.

 

[Stephres]

We have had several time outs in the restrooms at WDW. Don't feel guilty and self-conscious: just get it over with so you can enjoy your trip. Good luck!

 

[KristinU]

OP - great question! There are some great responses so far.

Just a thought on this...

Best advice I can give is to ignore the rude stares you will likely get when your little one is melting down. Many, many people think it's entirely your fault that your 2 year old is acting like a normal 2 year old.

Those stares might just be other parents trying to sneak a peek at how you're handling it so they get some ideas on how to handle a similar situation with their own kids.

 

[english rose 47]

I smell another heated debate!! But I agree deal with your child in your way you know what works gfor them.I'm sorry if my way bothers anyone and I wouldn't let a childtotally disrupt other diners . But young kids don't understand lines very well or getting off after ride is over. I always feel for the parent who is frazzled by the whole thing' So lets all beunderstanding and let parents handle their kids and yes I know some don't but if you say something ( which I wouldn't) I wouldn't be surprised if you got flamed.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, when my youngest was three we did them if necessary regardless of where we were, park zoo, and WDW. If you change how you approach the tantrum at WDW (or anywhere) you will loose ground.

Be sure everyone is fed and hydrated, try not to go commando and take lots of breaks to let him/her run around and just play. All the parks have playgrounds and some fountains kids can play in. Try and say yes to his/her requests if you can, especially if your passing a playground or fountain and can take a 5 minute break vs - we need to get to tomorrowland asap, that 5 minutes could be a lifesaver. I also found lots of explanations help, I would try and put things in terms she could understand, and only give her one plan at a time.

If you do have to give a time out try and find a shady or cool spot and offer water during the cool down time.

TJ

 

[kerry34]

I have really only had to do the time out thing with two out of five of my kids. My 6 yr old has had time outs on both of our last trips. Lets just say that patience is not a virtue of hers at all. On more than one occassion she became very snotty to me about wanting to do something right then and there and the end result was a time out. Maybe she thought that because we were on vacation the same rules that applied at home didnt on vacation. It took her a few time outs over the last few trips to get the hint. She is also the type that gets extremely overstimulated very easily. It was like she was the energizer bunny and wanted to do everything at once but couldnt and it really frusterated her. Her twin sister is exactly the opposite and basically just rolls with it. After a while it bothered her that she was getting these time outs and her twin sister wasnt and she eventually calmed down. My ten year old son also had one on our trip last December because after being told on two different occassions that running down the aisle of the bus to get to the back first was not acceptable to myself or my husband, especially when he trampled over my 6 year old to get there. After we got off the bus my husband made him sit for 10 minutes. I also made him hold my hand during the next few bus boardings (which he hated) and then he got the point. Time outs are a must IMO. Kids need to know that the same rules apply no matter where they are.

 

[schlepsnort]

My DSs' have had time outs in the middle of a grocery store, at the zoo, in the library, at the park and I am most sure that we will have a few while visiting WDW in September!
My middle DS is 2 1/2 and soooooo incredibly stubborn (a trait he got from me ) And he thinks he can do whatever, whenever, and however he wants. It takes a strong voice, in his face, and being made to sit down and telling him to calm down to get him to snap back to reality.
My older DS who is 4 I can usually just give him the 'look' and shake my head no slowly and he gets it, otherwise he also gets a time out.
If people don't like it, then they can deal with it on their own time, don't waste mine with their opinion.
Obviously we all want our kids to have a great time, it's the Happiest Place On Earth, but even there they need to abide by the most basic of behavior expectations! Otherwise they will grow up to be line jumping, pool hopping, using last years refillable mug, Brazilian tour group rude people!! And not to mention they will pee all over the place like I keep reading about on the 'shock thread'.

 

[minkydog]

I once put the whole family in time-out at Epcot It was a bitter cold January day in Epcot, with snow flurries and sleet(can you believe it??) Everyone was cold and we were doing our best to stay warm and dry. But one after the other the kids were whining, DH was complaining, my feet were hurting, and finally by the time we got to America I had had enough of it! I told them they could either get happy or we would leave the park.

Bless their hearts, they opted to leave the park!

We went back to POR, got warm baths, ordered a pizza and snuggled into our beds to watch movies for the rest of the afternoon. It turned out to be one of our best memories

 

[KJMAX1]

We have a challenging 7yr old. She has some sensory integration issues of her own we are working on, but she can become a holy terror at times. If you ignore her she becomes LOUDER, and more obnoxious. She "looks" like she has no issues, so to the onlookers, I always get stares, or comments. She is like another poster said, she needs you to be in her face about her actions or they get worse. I've learned with my 4 kids, especially with my up and coming two yr old, breaks are really a lifesaver. We booked an extra long vacation this time because we did this on our last vacation and it worked out very nicely with all the needed breaks.

When we saw a water place to play in, we let the kids get wet and play for awhile. We bought the snacks, and drinks as well, and allowed for resting time on benches to cool off, and recharge. Also finding a lawn to sit on, (be careful of the wet spots) or a bench in the shade to just take a break really work on collecting themselves before getting themselves into trouble. Also consider eating at a TS to cool down and refuel.

 

[schlepsnort]

The poster who mentioned sitting on a lawn and relaxing (after avoiding the wet areas *ew*). I plan on bringing a twin size sheet (Mickey of course!) to spread out for the kids to sit down on to relax while at the park while we take break. Is it ok to sit on the lawn areas? Are there many places to do this at MK? I was even thinking that since we will have two strollers that I might just put the sheet over the tops of both strollers making a little canopy to block the sun so that our three DS's can stretch out, take off their shoes and relax for awhile. Anyone else do something like this or have seen something like this?
Thanks!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

The only response I have to this is this (and please no flames): It has been my experience with my own DD6 that when she starts to whine, become difficult or have a meltdown for whatever reason she gives: it is because she is tired and needs to leave and have a nap. I get very irritated with parents who will continue on, due to their own desire to get their moneys worth. But I ask how much is it worth to enjoy the parks with a screaming child. To me that is too pricey. I would rather have a rested happy child, that is priceless.

We have Busch Gardens and Water County here in Williamsburg. I cannot tell you how many people will just continue to cart a tired child who is in dire need of a nap from one ride to another just so they can get their moneys worth out of a theme park. Even though we live here and have passes, I never kept my kids there when they got tired. It just made the whole experience miserable. I will do the same at WDW.

My DD6 has epilepsy, and requires a lot of sleep due to her meds. If we wake up one day and she is too tired to do a park, DH and I will tag team staying with her at resort. It just is not worth having a miserable time. She can make it so no one enjoys their time.

Back to the subject at hand, bottem line is this: they are your kids and you need to handle your situation as best as you can. I figure as long as you are not beating them senseless, and disciplining them in an acceptable way then go for it. Do what works for your family. Ignore the stares, no one lives in your shoes but you.

 

[kerry34]

My DH and I took the same approach with the tag team thing. It is what eventually led us to stay onsite. The trip before our last one was tough staying offsite because we found that DD6 could only handle the parks in 4-5 hr stretches and then enough was enough. This made it tough on the older kids who could go all day long and night and never get tired of it. We would all end up leaving the parks after lunch for a break. It was a pain though because it was such a hassle going back and forth. Staying onsite made it much easier since DH mostly would take the kids that were tired back to our hotel and I would stay in the park with the ones that wanted to stay. Mostly he volunteered for this because it gave him an excuse to sit by the pool and relax. I will say though that my daughter had most of her tantrums at the beginning of the day. One of the them was right when Mickeys Toontown Fair opened and she spent the first few minutes on a bench while the other kids rode Goofy's Barnstormer. So I guess you can't always say it is from tired kids, at least not in my case.

 

[wendy46001]

Otherwise they will grow up to be line jumping, pool hopping, using last years refillable mug, Brazilian tour group rude people!! And not to mention they will pee all over the place like I keep reading about on the 'shock thread'.

I totally agree...
Always do what you works for your family....

 

[LuvOrlando]

I've done timeouts in WDW, and treat my kids the same there as everywhere else we go. My DS & DD have had time-outs since they were old enough to understand no and most of what I did then I still do now. When they were little and would mis-behave in a store I would simply turn them away from me in the shopping cart and not interact them for 1 full minute. Now the kids are 7 & 8 the offender is completely ignored by our family for the time out period and a privledge of some kind is taken away such as choosing the next 2 rides (lunch spot, what to do that day ect.), the privledge taken away then goes to the well behaved child as a reward.

I've always found its easiest to manage tempers by keeping everyone well rested, well fed and hydrated. Both of my kids need some kind of snack every 2 hours otherwise they morph into irritable wet blankets. When they were little we used to go back to our room at WDW for a mid-day nap just like we did at home. The rest not only helped them but re-charged Mommy & Daddy for all the demands our little ones required...besides the naps gave us some time to talk by ourselves which kept us on the same page.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

The only response I have to this is this (and please no flames): It has been my experience with my own DD6 that when she starts to whine, become difficult or have a meltdown for whatever reason she gives: it is because she is tired and needs to leave and have a nap. I get very irritated with parents who will continue on, due to their own desire to get their moneys worth. But I ask how much is it worth to enjoy the parks with a screaming child. To me that is too pricey. I would rather have a rested happy child, that is priceless.

We have Busch Gardens and Water County here in Williamsburg. I cannot tell you how many people will just continue to cart a tired child who is in dire need of a nap from one ride to another just so they can get their moneys worth out of a theme park. Even though we live here and have passes, I never kept my kids there when they got tired. It just made the whole experience miserable. I will do the same at WDW.

My DD6 has epilepsy, and requires a lot of sleep due to her meds. If we wake up one day and she is too tired to do a park, DH and I will tag team staying with her at resort. It just is not worth having a miserable time. She can make it so no one enjoys their time.

Back to the subject at hand, bottem line is this: they are your kids and you need to handle your situation as best as you can. I figure as long as you are not beating them senseless, and disciplining them in an acceptable way then go for it. Do what works for your family. Ignore the stares, no one lives in your shoes but you.

I totally agree that dragging a tired child around to suit your own needs is just ridiculous -but- my daughter is a crier. It doesn't matter if she is well rested, well fed, comfortable, completely catered to. She simply cries if she really wants something and she is not allowed. That is her personality and we lover for it! She's a strong willed little girl. We can't give in to her all the time so she will cry. We have gotten dirty looks from people (happened yesterday in target) and they have no idea what her personality is. No flames here- just wanted to throw my 2 cents in!