1 2 3 Magic so many are asking what it is. Form of discipline for Children

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I have mentioned this in several of my post and everyone keeps asking me what it is. It really is simple, but you should try to read the book, 1 2 3 magic for Christian parenting. DO not let the title scare you the basics are when a child is misbehaving you simply look at him or her and say that is one then you count to ten in your head, wait 30 seconds to one minute for the child a chance to correct him or her self. If they do not you say that is two. again give them 30 seconds or so to correct themselves, and say okay that is three lets take five minutes and take them to their room for five minutes, or one minute per year of the child. a few key points the five minutes do not start till the child is calm. he or she can play in their room if they like. The idea is to remove them from the situation do not say that is One, you know you are not suppose to do that, blah blah blah. YOu simply say that is one. No explanation is needed, you are the parent you do not have to explain they know they are doing wrong when you say that is one. Do not engage in conversation with them, if they start to argue with you just look at them and say that is two, and so on. now when you are out in public time outs can be difficult so you come up with other things. we reward our children, yes we reward them for good behavior. If we go to lunch and I do not have to count, well when we get home they do not have to nap or they get to watch their favorite show on tv when we get home. If I count even to one, they nap and or do not get to watch that show. the idea is there is no conversation about the behavior there is no screaming or negotiating. You just say that is one, if they try to explain why they are doing the behavior well that is two. If you engage in conversation with them you break the pattern and you are giving them the opportunity to explain to you why they should be doing what you already decided was wrong. They have no right to give an explanation you are the parent. before we started this I sat them down, yes four year olds, and explained it to them. I rarely get past the number one and since starting it only one of them has been in time out. it is worth it to read the book. I promise.