It’s stressful when your child is having a tantrum or outburst, and your reaction can ramp up their behavior. One way to lower the tension is to ask for a sports-style time-out so you and your child can take a quick break from the action.  

In this eight-minute episode of What Now? A Parent’s Guide, psychologist Dr. Andrew Kahn explains how to take a mutual time-out when your child is upset. One key detail: Tell your child when you’ll come back together. This can help kids use the time apart to calm down instead of worrying about being abandoned.  

For more resources, visit the episode page on Understood. 

Related resource

• Self-care for kids: 6 ways to self-regulate

Timestamps

(00:44) Why mutual time-outs are so helpful  
(01:37) How to take a mutual time-out  
(07:00) What you can practice ahead of time

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