Thursday 1 October 2009

A new use for the Naughty Step

A new use for the Naughty Step:

1. Loud burp by Mummy.

2. Chorus of 'Mummy! On the Step!' from the boys

3. Mummy retreats onto the step (with a cup of tea) for 10 minutes of peace, quiet and relaxation (sadly the full 37 minutes that my age merits is not an option). The boys sit wide eyed, thrilled with the egalitarian nature of the household where everyone has to go on the step for bad behaviour.

It is what they call a Win Win situation.

21 comments:

Laura - Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy? said...

I like this idea. Will be practising my burps later

Alice said...

blimey, why have I never realised the merits of going on the naughty step myself?! Peace and quiet with a cuppa to boot. Lovely.

A Modern Mother said...

Any what did you do to warrant the naught step? (whent he boys shouted ??)

Maternal Tales said...

Hee hee. I like your style. Must remember that for the future. I'll have to say 'hold on girls, let me just make myself a cup of tea and then go on the naughty step'!!

Muddling Along said...

Are you sure you can't persuade them to let you have a full time out or is that only reserved for VERY BAD behaviour

I am so going to have to borrow this idea !

Catharine Withenay said...

Need to learn how to burp on demand NOW!

Mummy said...

Brilliant idea! Eve decided to invent a great new game called "pretending to be asleep" when I had a hangover the other morning.

Teacher Mommy said...

Love it! Great idea! And clever you for taking the tea along...

cl said...

NOTE TO SELF: Install the Mommy Naughty Step immediately.

Mwa said...

I told my children that appropriate responses after a big burp are either apologizing or saying "That was a good one!" ;-)

Nicola said...

ha! I love to be sent to the naughty step too. I quite often judge my own behaviour to be obnoxious and announce that I need a time out. It is bliss. But taking a cup of tea with me? Oh that is smart. Very smart. I'm on it.

London City (mum) said...

I voluntarily retreat to the garage in self-inflicted 'naughty step moments' for some peace and quiet!
If my lot hear of this there will be further endless hours of teasing.

Kathryn said...

don't you just love having those quiet moments - when I am forced (as in I would feel really bad for the kids if I didn't go) to go to Church with the boys (for some scout related reason usually) I don't get to take a cup of tea with me but I love that quiet time to myself!!

nappy valley girl said...

Definitely got to try that one. Anythiing for a quiet cup of tea....

Troutie said...

My son is too young for the naughty step, but thinking ahead, I'm concerned at the lack of steps in my house. Where will I go post burp?

Hot Cross Mum said...

Clever - I like this. Although my, not quite two-year-old, has been saying for some time now "Stay There" in a cross manner (mimicking me) and then laughing whenever I put him on the step so I actually think our step is a comedy step in all reality.

Unknown said...

Fantastic idea. However, since childminding training bans the naughty step in favour of 'Time Out' I will have to 'Time out' myself with a cup of tea in front of the television should I put this idea into practice.

Unknown said...

Liking this and all these ideas. I might start sending myself to my bedroom and have a kip while I'm there.

Dorset Dispatches said...

AWNTY - can recommend a fast drink of a fizzy drink leading to a burp truely worthy of a stint on the step.

Alice - sometimes Adam brings me a book.

MM - I've been practising those really epic, massive burps. They don't go to the steps for those though

MT - It is all about the planning. Tea first, then action, then step...

MAM - I tried. They weren't buying.

CW - fizzy drinks...

Mummy - like Eve's game very much. Can she come round and teach the boys?

TM - always with the tea.

cl - can't believe you haven't already. Sometimes I want to install a Daddy one that Daddy can be sent to too.

Mwa - mine roll around in hysterics, and, tragically, I also find it funny. Must get out more.

Nicola - get it ready first, then behave badly, then go to the step. Adam brings me a book sometimes.

LCM - We all need our peace and quiet. They'll understand when they are older.

Kathryn - I used to go to church as they had a creche and I could stare into space for an hour or so and therefore I'd done the Sunday morning stint before coming home and handing them over to dave because 'I've had them all morning!'. He never worked it out.

NVG - it is worth it.

Troutie - planning is key. Like making sure the tea is ready first.

HCM - Mine used to put their toy cars on the step. All lined up. Oh dear...

ZA - same fundamental idea though, you get 'punished' and get some peace and quiet. Yes!

WJ - the bedroom for a nap. I like the way you are thinking.

Iota said...

Very creative.

Can you burp to demand then?

Kelly said...

Brilliant, will remember this one!