Positive Time-Out: And Over 50 Ways to Avoid Power Struggles in the Home and the Classroom [Paperback]

Jane Nelsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 1999

Discover the Power of Positive Time-Out
Time-out is one of the most popular disciplinary techniques used in homes and schools today. But instead of being the positive, motivating, experience it should be for children, it is often punitive, counterproductive, and damaging to their gentle psyches.
In this book, bestselling parenting author Jane Nelsen shows you how to make time-out a positive learning experience for children. Inside, you'll discover how positive time-out can teach children the art of self-discipline and instill such invaluable qualities as self-confidence and problem-solving skills. You'll also learn how to:
·Make time-out an encouraging experience
·Develop an attitude and action plan to avoid power struggles with children
·Empower children by involving them in the behavior changing process
·Understand the mistaken goals of negative behavior
"Gives parents and teachers the encouragement and tools they need to help children handle their own behavior."—Sheryl Hausinger, M.D., Texas Children's Pediatric Associates and mother of three
"Offers more than 50 ways that parents can set limits while still encouraging their kids. It should be in every doctor's waiting room."—Jody McVittie, M.D., family physician

Editorial Reviews

Review

Discover the Power of Positive Time-Out

From the Inside Flap

Discover the Power of Positive Time-Out
Time-out is one of the most popular disciplinary techniques used in homes and schools today. But instead of being the positive, motivating, experience it should be for children, it is often punitive, counterproductive, and damaging to their gentle psyches.
In this book, bestselling parenting author Jane Nelsen shows you how to make time-out a positive learning experience for children. Inside, you'll discover how positive time-out can teach children the art of self-discipline and instill such invaluable qualities as self-confidence and problem-solving skills. You'll also learn how to:
·Make time-out an encouraging experience
·Develop an attitude and action plan to avoid power struggles with children
·Empower children by involving them in the behavior changing process
·Understand the mistaken goals of negative behavior
"Gives parents and teachers the encouragement and tools they need to help children handle their own behavior."—Sheryl Hausinger, M.D., Texas Children's Pediatric Associates and mother of three
"Offers more than 50 ways that parents can set limits while still encouraging their kids. It should be in every doctor's waiting room."—Jody McVittie, M.D., family physician

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 175 pages
• Publisher: Prima Publishing (October 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761521755
• ISBN-13: 978-0761521754
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Positive Time Out: And Over 50 Ways to Avoid Power Struggles, January 18, 2000

By 

Barry Hopkins (USA,) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Positive Time-Out: And Over 50 Ways to Avoid Power Struggles in the Home and the Classroom (Paperback)

Amazing! This book blew my mind -- the idea that time-out could be positive when conventional wisdom teaches that it should be punitive. It made total sense to me. The author teachers that childlren do better when they feel better. Don't we all? I apoligized to my two sons (six and eight) for using punitive time out. Together we created a positive time out (which we decided to call "CORP" (for cooling off to regroup). They loved the sports analogy for time out as a time to calm down and regroup. Now, when they get upset, they often say, "I need some Corp time," or I ask, "Would some Corp time help you right now?" The author is right; my kids are learning a valuable life skill -- and so am I. I take Corp time myself when I'm about to "lose" it. The other ideas for reducing power struggles are also great, but my relationship with my kids is so much better since we created Corp together. These ideas could make a huge difference to the way parents (and teachers) discipline children. I recommend it to everyone.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading, August 14, 2001

By 

Ms Diva "cycworker" (Nanaimo, B.C. Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Positive Time-Out: And Over 50 Ways to Avoid Power Struggles in the Home and the Classroom (Paperback)

This is one of the best books available for people who either have children or work with them. The make sense, and they work. Why would children do better when they are punished, when adults don't? I've used these ideas with the children I work with, as young as age three, and they work. I've also taught them to parents who have taken parenting classes with me, and all have reported success with the method. It allows us as adults to avoid power struggles, set clear limits and have boundaries with our children, rather than using external control. As the author explains, external control doesn't work in the long term - kids only learn how to not get caught, or they become totally dependent on the approval of others, which makes them likely to get caught in peer pressure. Punitive time out teaches conformity and compliance. Postive time out teaches kids to think about the impact of their behaviour on others and the consequences of their choices.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo and thank you, August 4, 2000

By 

Donna Erickson (Los Altos, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Positive Time-Out: And Over 50 Ways to Avoid Power Struggles in the Home and the Classroom (Paperback)

Bravo and many thanks to Jane Nelsen for her latest book, Positive Time-Out. Since it's publication last November, nearly two hundred parents from my workshops have tried this fabulous approach with their children. The response and outcome has been more than favorable. Parents have shared that they no longer experience the power struggles and frustration that had accompanied their previous attempts with time-outs. Initally, many parents expressed hesitance in using this approach. Most said they felt it was necessary to make time-out punitive--even if they were following many of the Positive Discipline guidelines. However, I consistently hear parents say, "since we've changed our approach and stopped using time-out as a punishment, things have improved". All of Jane Nelsen's books have reframed the parenting approach from a negative to a positive and indeed it has helped many families achieve peace, cooperation, and satisfaction. As a parenting educator, I have used this model exclusively for nearly twenty years and have had the experience of receiving compliments and gratitude from the thousands of families who have benefitied from it's amazing and positive outcome.