To spank or not to spank? Are these time-outs really working? If you are like me, you have been debating how to discipline.
I may have found the answer. It's called a "Punishment Wheel." Never heard of it? No, it's not a medieval torture device, though your naughty kids might think so. It's like their very own Wheel of Misfortune when they are driving you nuts. And it's fantastic!
You see, "time-outs" started to lose their power when my son turned 3-and-a-half. One day as I was scolding him about something bratty he had done, he looked me right in the face and said, "Ok! Stop talking please. I want a time-out!" I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I thought, "Now what?"
Well, this punishment wheel, an invention of Jose R. Gonzalez, is so simple you are going to kick yourself for not coming up with it. It's basically a round contraption with a bunch of penalties on pie wedges.
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When the time comes, the kid spins the knob and waits for the arrow to land on his sentence. The kid has to stand there waiting for it, unsure of just how awful it will be. Yes, it's psychological warfare, but it may be the best deterrent ever because that anticipation is torture.
My favorite options: NO TV, GROUNDED, NO DESSERT, DONATE A TOY, PARENT'S CHOICE, NO FRIENDS, and 2ND CHANCE. But it can be customized with other penalties, including "Swat" (aka spanking), but I'd probably add another "Donate a Toy" instead to instill a little extra fear in my Thomas the Train addicted tot.
Problem is, I don't think this ingenious contraption is being sold yet. Until it is, I'll just whip up one with my son's construction paper and crayons. That should do just fine!
What do you think of the Punishment Wheel? Would you try it?
Image via uspto.gov
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Comments 60
that would be a great idea
I think this is horrible. So it'll either be "Yay let's play a game with your punishment." which is akin to just being a power-hungry bully. Or "choose the punishment while I rub my hands together with glee and watch". Gross. Parents need to have the balls to deal with their children without a stupid wheel. Psychological punishment is cruel. Also donate a toy? Charity is a punishment? Wrong on so many levels.
Consequeces should fit the issue,,,if not the child is just going to take a chance on getting a small punishment for a large problem. And....what's the deal with making the punishment "fun"? Making a list of problems and the consequences that go with them is a much more effective way of dealing with things. Parents need to sit down and take the time to figure out what works with their child, certain things work for some children and not for others
Tiffany Smith - I totally agree with you. So I have this idea as an alternative. "Lose a toy." As in said toy is taken away for a certain amount of time. I've heard of many a parent frustrated with their kids not picking up their toys who simply take a garbage bag and put all un-picked up toys in it and lock them away.
Are we good with the name "Punishment" Wheel??
I guess it is fitting, since you can spin yourself into Grounded for not putting your clothes in the hamper.
Eh, I'm not seeing how this can be effective since its gamelike use sends all kinds of random, conflicting messages... : /
This is beyond messed up. There is something seriously wrong with you if you think this is a good idea.
An idea about the wheel I like is that together parent and child can design and create it together. I do agree that it is not ideal for every situation, but for smaller general things, like not picking up toys after being reminded etc and other methods haven't worked, it might help. I'm not a fan of time outs, we used them on very rare occasions. Right now my 2 kids (6 & 8) dont like our discussions and consequences but yet continue to keep repeating the behaviors or actions. The idea of creating a wheel with them is like the opposite of a reward wheel. Which gives them some control over their consequence. Again, it's all how you look at it and what you choose to take from it. No 1 idea will fit every parenting style.