The "Time-out" Chair

THE 'TIME-OUT' CHAIR

Today I took my four-year-old into my lap.

This was his time-out.

Time to cuddle with mommy

And hear how much he means to me.

Not him sitting alone in a chair

Feeling as if everyone hates him.

I’m not the perfect parent.

I yell, throw things at my kids

And say mean stuff sometimes.

Today my kid was acting

Like what other people might call a brat

Kicking his brother

Knocking over toys

And yelling at the top of his lungs

To bug us all.

So I went over to him, lifted him up

And held him close, just us.

I told him he is special to me

He melted, tension flowed away

Centre of my world

He relaxed, aaaah…

After a few minutes

He jumped off my lap

And went to play quietly with his brother.

I watched in awe.

I finally listened to my insides

That said children need love

Not punishment.

To be the centre of one’s world

For just a few minutes

In the time-out chair.

Alaina Chapman, Dunston, BC
(Used with permission)