Punishment Idea?

Active Poster Joined: Sep 15 2004 Posts: 89

My 4 yo DD and nephew stuffed the toilet at my sister's house with tissues and then flushed, causing a flood that leaked into the landlord's bathroom. BH, no damage, just a mess that got cleaned up. Where the babysitter was at the time is another story.

But my question is: what would be an appropriate punishment for this- she is 4. I spoke to her on the phone, and she seemed excited by all of the excitement!! She knows to some extent that it was wrong (she knows she's not supposed to play in the bathroom, or with water...). Any ideas?

Senior Member Joined: Aug 20 2006 Posts: 208 Location: NY

although hearing punishment ideas from other members might come in handy one day... I think that children, especially such young ones, need to get a punishment right away for it to have any effect. it seems that dd is not with you right now. will she be home in an hour? or is this an overnight thing? because if too much time will elapse between the "crime" and punishment, you might not accomplish anything with it.
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Active Poster Joined: Sep 15 2004 Posts: 89

I'm at work. I told the babysitter not to punish her, that I'll take care of it when I get home...

Gold Member Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 1542

good that you told her that. I don't like when the sitters punish... a mother is allowed a sitter is not....
I think I would not punish rather talk about it like over the supper while you feed her tell her a story about a girl that stuffed the toilet and what happened and how no one was about to use the bathroom... be dramatic... it works for me..
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Executive Member Joined: May 04 2005 Posts: 451

I agree. definitely would not punish, talk to her about why it is not ok for her to do it and tell her you dont want it to happen again. to punish you need to gve her a warning. if it does happen again I would have her clean it up to show her why its not good to do that, what a mess it makes but I dont imagine shell do it again if explained in the proper way, why its wrong and I would definitely fire that babysitter! sounds to me the kids were reallybored, looking for fun and they were basically on their own. I would say its more the babysotters fault than theirs though they should stillbe spoken to about it.