Time Out Chairs: The Importance of Taking a Break

If you're like most adults, you've probably forgotten what it was like when your emotions got the best of you. But chances are, if you're anything like me (and who isn't), you remember being a kid and feeling frustrated or disappointed—or even angry—and having no idea how to deal with those feelings. As an adult, we've learned how to put our emotions aside, act like everything is okay when it's not, and push through any discomfort that comes our way. It's hard work! And sometimes it doesn't feel worth it at all.

When your kid has an outburst, they need a time out.

But when you have an outburst, do you need a time out?

You probably think of a time out as something for little kids. You might even think that as adults we don’t have time-out needs because we are so much more mature. But the truth is that our brains work in similar ways to those of children and there are many situations where taking a break can be helpful for us as well.

In fact, if you think about it, all you need to know about life can be learned in a time out chair.

Time out chairs are designed to give kids a safe space where they can calm down and regain control over their behavior. Time outs are typically used when children are having trouble behaving appropriately, but they can also be used for all sorts of other reasons, such as when kids need a break from an activity or when they’ve been working really hard and need some quiet time to rest.

There are lots of ways that parents can use time out chairs with kids:

-The parent can sit in the chair with their child and talk about what happened (this works best for very young kids)

-The parent can sit in the chair while the child sits on the floor next to them, so that both parties feel calm and comfortable

-The child can sit alone in their chair until they feel ready to interact again

As adults, we often feel like we have to be in control of our emotions and behavior at all times. We want to be able to handle any situation with grace, poise and aplomb. When we don't feel that way, it can feel like we've failed ourselves, or worse—that we've failed others.

But there's a problem with that: No one is perfect. Everyone needs a break from the emotional roller coaster that life can be.

We're not saying you should throw yourself into a wall every time you get frustrated with your kid or your partner—but if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and exhausted after an especially stressful week, take some time for yourself. Take a walk around the block or go for a drive in the country; whatever works for you. No one will judge you—and they may even thank you for it!

So how do we know when we need to take a break? Well, there are some telltale signs that might tip you off:

1) You feel overwhelmed with work or stress.

2) You feel like you’re always working—even when you aren’t at work!

3) You feel guilty about taking breaks from work and family responsibilities.

4) You don’t know where your day went because you were so busy and distracted by other things that took up your time (social media, online shopping, etc.).

Sometimes everyone needs a time out—no matter who you are or what you do. We all need to check out from time to time. As it turns out, the act of checking out may actually help us be composed and emotionally stable.

Just like there are different ways to get away from your troubles, there are also different ways to take a break. We have found that some people prefer to meditate, others like to exercise, or even just step outside for some fresh air. Regardless of how you choose to relax and recharge your batteries, taking some time for yourself can mean the difference between being able to handle whatever life throws your way and feeling overwhelmed by it all!

Sometimes you need a stronger person to guide you. Look for the helpers and trusted people in your life who can support you and offer you a time out to recover and refresh. Good friends and family recognize when you need to take a moment to yourself, so they're more likely to give you space in those moments where they notice something is wrong.

What feels like isolation can become a slice of heaven. If you work with young children, there's a good chance you've experienced the struggle of trying to get them to calm down. You might have even tried time-out. It can seem like a punishment at first—most angry or overwhelmed toddlers see time-out as adding insult to their injury. But, it only takes a few moments in time-out for toddlers to recover, calm themselves, and actually enjoy a moment of peace and quiet.

At some point, kids ask for the chair. As your children grow, it can be tempting to do everything for them; but taking a break is an important part of self-care.

As parents, we’re used to being the ones responsible for taking care of everything—and that includes our children. But sometimes, doing everything for them can backfire. As we try to help them through a difficult time or process, they may begin to feel overwhelmed and anxious.

When this happens, it’s important to give your children the space they need to process and calm down without feeling like they have to do it on their own.

With so much going on in our lives, it's easy to forget that we need a break once in awhile too! We all have moments where we feel overwhelmed and frustrated by life; this is normal! Being able to take a quiet moment for yourself when life gets hectic is just as important as managing your child's emotions—and taking time out chairs are an easy way to do both!