I frequently go to DL with my friends sisters who are 9. For those of you who go with children weather your own or "borrowed" or with friends, what do you do for time-outs when the kids start to act up? Leaving is a last resort because they do not have APs and are let in by their grandma. We are looking for good non-obtrusive time-outs spots or other types of punishment.
We are not the type of people we all love to hate...who yell at their kids to have a good time or else.

Thanks in advance!

Tigger

I would think that the Carnation Plaza Gardens would be a good spot. They are relatively uninhabited. And if you really want to cut them off from visual excitement, you could sit them down in the walkway between Carnation Plaza and Rancho del Zocolo.

:( tigger I have gone to the park for the last 12 years and all but the last two have taken a large group of special needs kids, the last two years it's just been my daughter and niece and nephews but here are a few of the 'tricks' to behavior modification that have been effective...first off at age 9 they understand time out and inappropriate behavior and are old enough to not have to yell at them....in each and every land there is a perfect spot to sit and contemplate their behavior while missing out on the 'next' attraction....never make it more than one because then you might as well just leave because there is no "light" at the end of the tunnel for them and no incentive to correct the behavior....fast past is wonderful here because the wait isn't so long that it looses the point...

Be sure to explain the rules before hand and then remind them of the rules as the behavior 'starts' don't wait until they are 'out of control' to try and correct the behavior because usually by then it's too late and you have a full blown 'incident'.....

maybe stick them on a ride they dont like as punishment... like if they get sick on Space Mountain, a few rides on it should teach them. Or bring them to Innoventions, thats punishment in itself.

That's an interesting question. My first response was "what are nine years olds needing a time out for?" By that age they should certainly have social and public behavior down pat. I guess I could understand if they are bickering with each other (I have girls and understand how this could happen.)

My other question was "how much authority does big sister have over her little sisters?" That can be a sticky point--resentment can build between sisters if the older sister is trying to be a mother figure and the little sisters are resenting it.

Lots of family dynamics come into play here--

At 9 years old have you considered financial punishment? That is, allow the child a set balance of $5 at the start of the day. As they behave well or poorly, you can give or deduct from that balance, and what they have left over near the end of the day is what they get to spend on their own stuff?

Just a thought.

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your replies.

LisaP, The girls are very emotionally immature and do many age innapproprite things besides fighting with each other, hence the needs for time-outs. Also their big sister has full authority over them, she is helping their grandma raise them, so the resentment of her acting like a mother figure isn't really there.

MommaSilva, You hit it right on the nose, thank you. They are special needs to a small extent.

Johnnyrad, Just so you know, your idea constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Making a child go on a ride that terrifies them or makes them sick is just sadistic.

Lani, The financial incentive is good, unfortunality $5.00 doesn't buy much besides candy, and less than $5.00 buys just that usually.

Alex, I like the Carnation Gardens area. Thank you.

And htank you all

I sort of assumed johnnyrad was joking.

I've never been a fan of financial incentives for good behavior. My opinion is that it could breed the idea that acceptable behavior must be paid for. The child could say to themselves "I'm not getting any money here, so why should I be good." Just my opinion.

I like the missing out on the next ride idea.

You know, a child switch pass would work well here. That way you don't leave them unsupervised.

Frontierland walkway is a fairly quiet area.

Also: time out sitting down facing outward allows, as you point out, for too much visual stimulation. How about time out standing facing a wall? In elementary school I had teachers who used that. Nothing worse than standing with your nose to the wall knowing people behind your back are looking at you (or at least imagining they are). To that end, almost any wall will work. This allows you to walk less distace. Maybe one "times out" against the side of Village Haus while the other gets to ride Dumbo or something.

The big thing is not to back down. My family has this problem with my younger niece. Her parents threaten something, and then cave in. Imagine her surprise when her mean old aunt doesn't. But she acts up horribly around her parents - she behaves when she's alone with me, or any of the stricter side of the family.

Morrigoon,
I like the stand and face the wall the best. and the child switch, we never considered that since they go on everything, but I bet the CMs don't ask. I totaly understand what your saying abotu your niece. I am like that too. If you did something wrong and have a time-out or sentences for it, crying won't get me to reduce them, so don't cry or whine about it. If you hurt yourself and want to cry, then by all means I will be righ there for you! I am mean ol "big sister" I guess. In quotes cause they aren't my sisters though most people think they are my kids. hehe.

Ok-I hope nobody takes this the wrong way--I'm only speaking from my experience as a child and parent--but I would caution against any kind of public humiliation-type discipline. I'm not one of those namby-pamby "self esteem above discipline" type parents at all, but I do believe strongly that any discipline should be a private matter between parent (guardian) and child.

Public humiliation only leads to rage and resentment which will not help in the long run. That is why discipline at DL is so very tricky--there are hoards of people everywhere. I am more of a fan of the quiet area time out if anything--and if things are that bad, just get on the tram and head home. They will really remember that, it will go a long way towards more respectful behavior next visit.
Just my two cents--

Wow, well it worked very well on me - just the idea that my mom would pull down my pants in front of everyone and spank me was enough to get me back in line... she never had to do it! (Though I have no doubt she would have, if I'd pushed her!)

But maybe it's not for all kids, nothing ever is. Except Disneyland :D

A good time out would be:
Tell the child if they're not good they'll have to ride "It's a Small World" ten times.
They'll be nothing but good after that!
:)

Originally posted by DisneyLad
A good time out would be:
Tell the child if they're not good they'll have to ride "It's a Small World" ten times.
They'll be nothing but good after that!
:)

Oh, dear, Disneylad, you might wanna be careful what you say if you believe in kharma.... I know one 3 y/o who will randomly start singing "it's a small world" over and over and over and over and over and over.... loudly.... Usually in the car..... at the beginning of a long trip.

I can just *seeS you and Mr. DisneyLad having yourselves an iasw lovin' little one. "Please Daddy? Just one more time!"

Adrienne K ;)