I recently stumbled upon the remarkable benefits of sending my child to their room. It’s as if the parenting gods have smiled upon me. Disciplining my child has never felt this straightforward.
“Stop that! Don’t defy me! Go to your room!”
Piercing scream
Pitter-patter of tiny, furious feet
A red-faced, toddler-sized whirlwind of chaos wails
Door slams shut
“Please don’t slam the door, little one!”
I apologize if it seems inappropriate to find joy in disciplining my child, but I can’t help but wish for my other child to misbehave, too. Those fleeting five minutes where I can catch up on sports updates or enjoy my coffee in peace are invaluable. I feel tempted to create more rules just to have an excuse to send them to their rooms.
With great power comes great responsibility.
Whoever coined that phrase likely never had to deal with toys strewn across the yard to quell sibling disputes. My lawn resembles a scene from a toy donation drive gone awry.
At three years old, my twins have begun to exhibit typical “threenager” behaviors: eye-rolling, muttering under their breath, monopolizing the TV, and uttering the dreaded “no” whenever faced with a request. These little ones can be quite demanding. Absent the option of extreme measures, like sending them to a Scared Straight program, I’m constantly searching for effective yet fair discipline strategies that don’t leave me sounding like a banshee. The option of sending them to their rooms has proven to be remarkably effective.
I get my short respite, and they often return with tear-stained cheeks and sniffles, requesting a hug. Occasionally, we even enjoy ice cream while discussing our feelings. Just kidding—no talking during ice cream time, or it’s back to the room!
I love my children, even during the most challenging moments. I also prefer to avoid disciplining them in anger, as they can truly test my patience. The newfound ability to send them away for a brief period and revisit the situation later is nothing short of a blessing in my eyes.
I’ve noticed positive changes, too. The frequency of “no” in our conversations has decreased, and many interactions no longer end in tantrums.
“Could you help me with this, champ?”
“No.”
“Well, while I handle it, why don’t you go to your room?”
Child complies, completing their task for the first time today
I understand this strategy won’t always yield results. Eventually, their room may lose its punitive association. By then, I hope to have transformed their space into a well-designed retreat where I can check in on them every few days.
In a world where any form of discipline can be labeled as abusive, sending them to reflect on their behavior in their rooms seems to be a safe option. It’s not the same as a mindfulness session with essential oils, but it serves its purpose, offering a necessary break for both child and parent. Sometimes, all we need is a few moments apart to continue nurturing our bond. Or at least for me to finish my coffee and regain my composure for the day.
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In summary, sending children to their room can serve both as a disciplinary tool and a much-needed pause for parents. This approach not only helps manage behavior but also fosters emotional growth for both parties involved.