Toddler

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