Children and Timers

[mummyof3babes]

Do you use the egg timer in any aspect of your children's lives?

I was shocked to see (on wife swap) that it is regarded 'inappropriate' to use the timer with children, or more like a form of 'control'. ?

Parents use it in alot of different ways, the 2 min dummy before bed rule, timed to pack-up toys, toilet, bottle, etc... the list can go on forever I guess.

I only use it for the teeth, I do have a two minute egg timer in the bathroom and it must be used when brushing teeth, I don't feel that this is inappropriate at all. Most times I am with the girls and I abide by the same rule.

WDYT? Is this a wicked form of control?

[miss kiki]

i don't think so at all! i was actually telling DF that we should get one for the bathroom, also for brushing teeth, since the kids like to brush for 30 seconds, lol. and i do make things fun for them like ok, clean up you have 100 seconds, and then i'll count out loud and they run around and try to clean up as fast as they can and they love it..lol.

[Rachel]

I actually think that these days it can actually be quite important to use a timer.. especially in the shower :yes:
I don't see anything wrong with using it to monitor how long to brush teeth for too...
I only have a timer for the shower which I got from the water authority.. I don't use one for anything else with my daughter and at this point I don't think I will :dk:
Wife swap really does have some eccentric families on there though :hehe:

[Patricia]

I think the timer is a good, interactive,fun way for kids to learn that (unfortunately) life does come with boundaries.

I can think of much worse things that some poor kids are subjected to in their lives than a harmless timer..LMAO

[kezabelle]

..... just running out to buy a timer for the bathroom! What a great way to get the kids to brush their teeth for the right length of time! Always a battle in our house.

I have friends who use the timer for 'time out' and I've recently thought, maybe I should do that... but I haven't yet as I actually want me to be in control of time out, not the microwave, etc :) So, there goes that theory then! LMAO

[crashtestwoman]

I think a timer is a great idea.
My son actually commented once "Why don't we go on that show mum" my response was "We are to normal babe", most of those families are outta control or so in control they make control freaks look lazy.
Still good tele though hey.

[Naomi]

I don't use a timer (because I don't have one) but I'm always saying "two minutes until ..." or "five minutes ..." etc, he doesn't understand the exact time frame but he understands the concept. Hugo tends to respond better to a routine and knowing what's happening rather than just go with the flow so it's helpful for him to have the boundaries, not harmful at all.

I think the timer for the teeth/shower is an excellent idea! My toothbrush (electric) actually has a timer built in :hehe:

[mel35]

We are currently seeing a child psychologist for Jack's behaviour and one of the first things implemented was "special time" a period of time that either parent spends playing a game/ reading etc with Jack with absolutely no interuptions and using a timer which Jack sets (That is for him to feel in control of the "special time" but with boundaries).
We also use a timer for showers and the kids have had plenty of "time outs" over the years:hehe:

[miss kiki]

i like that idea mel..with your DS setting how much time he wants to play/spend time with you..i think i might steal that idea with the kids. :)