Why I Put Myself In The Naughty Chair

If you're anything like me, you're probably laughing at the title of this post. It's time for a moment of truth though, because I do sometimes put myself in the naughty chair. It benefits me and my boys. Am I crazy?! Yes, Probably!

It always happens when I'm working on a project: for instance on Monday when I was getting ready to show the house to a potential buyer the boys came inside from playing in a mud puddle. My stress level was already through the roof, and I was fed up with their whining and nonsense. Of course I was in crazy get-er-done/OCD mode, and the boys were following me around undoing all of my hard work. Finally, when they started tugging at my skirt, I yelled at them. "You boys, LEAVE ME ALONE! Get Out NOW!" In that moment, as Blade's face fell, I realized that I'm acting like the crazy man in the park who yells and screams over every little thing that isn't a big deal. I was throwing a fit and acting ugly...and where do we go when we act ugly?

You see, I want them to know that there are consequences to actions. There are positive consequences and negative consequences. Does this rule only apply to children? We all know it doesn't.

So I followed up with, "Mommy, is acting ugly. Mommy has to sit in the naughty chair."

Of course Blade thought it was funny. So I sat in the naughty chair. As I sat there, I realized, It's NICE to sit in the naughty chair! It's a time-out! It's a time-out to think about the way I was acting, and WHY I was acting that way. It's a time-out from the out-of-control way I was feeling. It was a take-a-break chair, a rest chair, a quiet moment of reflection to calm down and get it all together. I emerged a more positive, energized mother, ready to apologize.

Too often I expect things of my children that I don't do. This is wrong, and I want to lead by example. I also want an easy way to help my young children understand that even parents are held accountable for their actions. For me, the naughty chair is a useful tool that I use to get that point across. Besides, it doesn't hurt to sit down once in a while. *Smile*

Let me know your thoughts! I would love for you to contact me with any questions!