The Most Useful Tool Every Parent of a Toddler Needs (GIVEAWAY)
A few months ago, I was given a ridiculously useful parenting tool by my sister (who happens to have a PHD in school psychology). It’s called the TIME TIMER
As I’ve mentioned previously, my husband and I struggle with setting limits and getting Mazzy to listen to us.
If we shut the television or take away the iPad, she freaks out, no matter how many verbal warnings we give (“after this video”, “five more minutes”, etc.).
If it’s time to take a bath or go to bed or eat dinner, there is usually a chase around the house that ends with a healthy dose of flailing and crying.
My sister told us that the TIME TIMER
Basically, the Time Timer is a large clock timer with a simple visual reference to show time elapsing (the red section gets smaller and smaller as time passes). Saying “five more minutes” to a two-year-old means nothing, but seeing “five minutes” slowly deplete itself visually will eventually begin to make sense.
She recommended using it in the following way:
• Introduce and explain the clock
• Use it as much as possible throughout the day so that your child gets used to the concept quicker
• Start by using it for positive things like “ten more minutes until we go to the playground” so your child doesn’t only associate it with negative activities (going to bed) or ending positive activities (putting away the iPad)
• Give warnings as time passes (“five more minutes until we go to the playground…, two more minutes until we go to the playground”) by pointing at the clock so she can visually see the difference
• When time is up (an optional bell will ding), blame the clock for the switch in activity. Like this:
DING!
“Ok, time is up! Time to put on your PJs!”
“But I want to watch one more video!!!”
“Sorry, babe. There is no more time!”
Point to clock.
Sounds pretty easy, right?
After one week of using the Time Timer with my two-year-old, this is what happened:
1. Mazzy became very interested in understanding the clock.
2. My husband and I were finally on the same page because we could both use the timer for reference. He didn’t have to remember what limit I set for Mazzy because it was right there in front of him. And we were both less likely to go against the other’s wishes by allowing Mazzy additional time.
In other words— the timer not only made setting limits easier, it made us more apt to stick to them.
3. Mazzy began to put up less of a fuss when we stuck to the timer.
CASE IN POINT: A few nights after implementing the Time Timer, I told Mazzy it was time to brush her teeth and she countered with, “No, I’m reading!”
So I said, “Okay, five more minutes of reading and then you have to brush your teeth.”
To which Mazzy responded, “Show clock!”
We’ve now been using the timer for a few months and it’s effectiveness has not dissipated. Mazzy asks to use the clock whenever I want her to switch from one activity to another (i.e. playing with her toys switching to eating at the dinner table).
Just giving her five minutes on the clock usually does the trick. I also have come to realize that it’s totally reasonable for her to ask for a few more minutes because if someone forced you to stop what you were doing without warning and immediately plopped you somewhere else, you would not be happy either.
Sometimes Mazzy will try to negotiate for longer than five minutes (“Give me ten!”), which is interesting because in addition to helping her behavior, the Time Timer is also effectively teaching her the concept of time.
In conclusion, the Time Timer has been a complete lifesaver. It’s helped control Mazzy’s outbursts and helped my husband and me be better parents who are more apt to enforce the rules.
No one is paying me to say any of these things. But I reached out to Time Timer to see if they would give away a clock to my readers so that someone else could experience the change. They agreed.
Today, I am giving away one 8″ Time Timer valued at $35, plus all Babble readers can get 10% off all Time Timer products (except mobile apps) by using the code: LifeTime.
TO ENTER: Just leave a comment in the comment section below. For a second entry tweet about the contest and then leave a second comment. For example…
Just entered to win a life-saving parenting tool from @ToddlerTimes #giveaway #TimeTimer http://bit.ly/RrDYlu
Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Friday, August 17th at 11am.
Good luck!
UPDATE: Congratulations to Candace Portman, who won the Time Timer. Please contact me at ilana@mommyshorts.com to claim your prize!
Read more from Ilana and Dr. B at Mommy Shorts.
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Oh you have no idea how much I need this! If I don’t win, I’ll absolutely be buying one!!! Thx for the tip!
This seems much better than our tiny over timer, which only enrages Hazy.
Okay, I tweeted too (@hellonatashao). (I really need this clock.)
I would love to try this
Genius! I’d love to try this.
We’re starting to get to this point with my son too! I’d love this clock…I’m a visual learner, so maybe he will be too.
This looks like a great idea for my two year old!
Oh how I need this clock!
Awesome. I bet it would help a lot with our time-outs: “I need you to sit here quietly until the timer runs out.” Or maybe even, “If your mom doesn’t get home in THIS many minutes, I’m going to smash my head into the wall repeatedly.”
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http://raisedbymydaughter.blogspot.com/
Sounds amazing…and I think my son would love counting down with the clock! Thanks for the recommendation
I would love this clock – just beginning to teach my daughter about “5 more minutes!” and this would make it so much easier
I love this idea. It would work great with my toddler and would have been very useful in my days as a therapist with all the clients who have a hard time winding it down to end sessions on time.
This would be great for my soon to be 4 year old and much more visible than a digital timer.
I think this clock would be a huge help with our almost 4 year old son! And now that we have one on the way in November it will eventually do double duty!
I tweeted about it too! (@bcvannier)
This clock looks awesome! I would love to try it out with my little guy
I’ve used this in the classroom and loved it. Thanks for the opportunity to try it out at home too!!
Love this idea–what a great way to show time for the kiddos.
oooh we could totally use one of those! what a great idea.
This looks like an awesome tool! We often have the same struggles with our 2 year old .. and I supposed it’s a bit ridiculous for him to understand the concept of 5 minutes without seeing it.
OMG I need this to manage Time-ing for our four kids!
They have this clock at daycare but I had no idea what it was. This would be great at our house!!
I really, really want this clock. My son is the king of “I am not doing that right now” and I think this would be a big help. Thanks for the giveaway!
Awesome – we keep saying we need to buy a timer of some sort for this very reason. My almost-3-year-old of course has no concept of time so saying “we’re leaving in five minutes” means nothing and of course there’s still a tantrum when the five minutes is up! What a great idea.
I tweeted… @momUNblogger is my twitter name.
I just tweeted it, too! (And it’s rare that I take the extra step to do a second entry, but this one is worth it!!)
@enevicosi
I am posting this here as well, because there are two comment sections and I don’t know if they both count to be entered into the drawing! I said:
“I think this would help me, too! I have very little concept of time myself, so when it comes to saying 5 more minutes to my daughter, if I don’t look at the clock it is a completely arbitrary time limit.”
Definitely need to try this out!
The transition from play to dinner? Oh the worst five minutes of my night most days. This sounds like a brilliant solution. (Crossing fingers).
Love this! We definitely need one in our house
This would be great!
What a great idea, haven’t seen this before!
I tweeted this, too!
@WIBuckeye
What a great idea! My toddler is just really starting to fight me on things.
That looks awesome….. My son would actually understand that system really well. He tries to look at the clock and tell me he has more time than he actually does…..
Pick me, pick me!! I have a dd that will be 3 in November and we totally need this!
I would love to win this to try with my 2 year old!
sounds like a must have – hope I win it!
sounds like a must have – I really like that they can SEE the time!
I would love to try this!
Would love to try this!
Awesome!
This would be perfect!! I usually use the “when this is over” method and it isn’t always working!!
Wow, seems like a great tool for setting limits for my 3yr old– would love to try this!
This little gadget sounds amazing!! We recently got 50/50 placement of my boyfriend’s daughter and she has been living with no limits and loose rules-eek! Something like this may help transition to our home with bedtimes mealtimes and limits…
This would be extremely helpful with my four daughters. Telling them ‘When the big hand gets on the 5…’ just doesn’t cut it.
I would love to try this!
Just tweeted it! @meemye79
Oh man, we need this! I’m CONSTANTLY saying “one more minute!” and “last time!”. But my 2.5 year old still finds a way to make it a fight. This clock is just what we a need – a visual to the One More Minute rule!
If this would work it would be a god send! Seems to be the only time she fusses is with the time issue
If this wors would be a god send seems to be the only time she fusses is with time issue. Would love to win this
Our oven timer just broke! I could definitely use this for my 2, 5, 9 and 12 year old children!
Just tweeted! @jennyindahizous.
This is such a great idea! We’ve tried using the timer on the stove, but since there’s no visual with it he still doesn’t really understand.
great idea!
Very intriguing!
That’s brilliant! I have a 1.5 yr old that might really benefit from the time timer!
Yes, please! I want one!
This would be wonderful to have! I love the idea of it helping my husband and I co-parent easier.
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/NearNormalcy/status/233656560730116096
Two toddlers, one preschooler. Can I win three timers??
Thanks Ilana!
We DEFINITELY need to try this with our 2 yr old daughter!
I think I will try anything at this point
Awesome!
My darling sister needs this! She had 4 girls, ages 14, 8, 2 1/2, and 12 months. If i win, Its going to her!
For years I’ve known about using the time timer in speech therapy and behavior therapy with students with learning disabilities. It’s BRILLIANT to think about using it with my twin 2 year old monkeys. I never thought about it myself-duh. I agree, if I don’t win this, I am going to buy it and then shout it to the rooftops or at least my moms of multiples group that this is something we all need to have in our bag o tricks.
This looks like an AWESOME product for my two littles!
Check out my Tweet!! —–> https://twitter.com/Solonicolina/status/233660006619287552
This is the perfect temper-tantrum killer. Let’s see if Lady Luck is on my side!
I remember the first time you posted about this. I thought it was neat then and I think it is neat now. I’d love to win one to use with my daughter!
How cool! We definitely need something like this! Our tot flips out over taking the iPad or turning off cartoons.
I’ve actually been thinking of buying one for my 4 year old and 18 month old. Our Kindermusik teacher uses one in her classes and it definitely helped the 4 year olds transition from one activity to the next!
My Daughter is a single Mom and I live with them, I have stage 5 kidney failure as well. It is extremely hard being a single Mother for my daughter, her boys are ages 6 and 7, and at bed time we have issues with the “5 more minutes” when it comes to the iPad. I can see this helping us with SO many issues. Lol thanks!
That sounds like an excellent tool. I would love to try this out with my son!
ilana is a genius!
What a great idea!! Setting limits is a big challenge for us as well, so we need all the help we can get
My daughter is only 4 months old, but I know we will need one of these!
Simply awesome. Our daughter is ready for one of those
Oh my gosh this would not just help my toddler/preschooler but me too! I never can keep track of time. Thank you!
This looks like a neat idea.
I NEED this. So so so so badly.
What a great idea. I would love to have it!
I would love to try this. I currently use the microwave timer also.
would love to give it a try!
That sounds so cool!
Cool clock, cool concept. We generally just use either my cell phone or the TSS’s phone to help my kids. This would help solidify the concept of time and negotiations.
i need this! Awesome!
Would love to win this!!
My little dude is 18 months and I can totally see this becoming very useful over the next couple years. Hope I win!
Word to your mother on all of this, times two for me
. 2yr old twin BOYS!!! So need this!
This looks great, would love to have one for my daughter!
Even if I don’t win, I’m going to get one for my 2 year old!
What a great idea!!! Anyone know if the mobile app works as well?? I am thinking my lil one will just want to play with the phone if I show it to her….
I want to win this one!! Great idea.
This will help SO much…..Thank you.
Definitely something we need in our house!
And I tweeted it!
I would absolutely love this for my 3 y.o. daughter. She understands the clock as in 7 means its time to get ready for bed, but cries and screams when our five minute warnings are up. It would be great to give her a 30 minute warning until we go somewhere so that she knows to be dressed and ready in that time. I’m all for less arguing and more understanding!!! What a great idea
Word to your mother on all of this! 2yr old Twin boys here, so need this!
It’s so simple, it’s brilliant! I would love to win!
This sounds awesome
Genius!
Genius! I cannot wait to try. I hope I win- what a simple and great idea.
I will give up drinking, if this works. well, I will have to celebrate, so right after that.
This sounds amazing – can’t wait to try it!!
I love that this clock will “take the blame” when the time is up AND would also help teach the kiddos about time in general. Win-Win.
We are just entering the toddler negotiation stage, and this would be a great tool!
I would LOVE to win this. My son’s favorite phrase when I’m trying to get him to do something “Just a couple more hours??”
I love this! It would be perfect for our home (2 kids) and Sunday school classes where my class’s age runs 2-6…15-18 kids running around all with different attention spans makes for a very frazzled woman by the time 12 rolls around. Last time I ended up with crackers, glitter, play dough, snot, and somehow my own coffee in my hair. Gotta love those br—sweeties.
This is wonderful!!! We use the timer on my stove for my toddler, but having a visual will work even better. This is such a cool gadget!!!
I’d LOVE this clock., I already use a red-light/green-light alarm clock for naptime, since my daughter’s been fighting naps [but I still have her go to her room for 'down time' at the very least]. Off to tweet now…
Hope I win! Two tots under 3!
Hope I win! Two tots under g3!
This look awesome. DS needs to get a better concept of timing and I can never seem to get to the microwave to set the one and only timer in the house.
Where has this been all of my parenting life? My 3 year old (and my sanity) needs this visual clock, stat!
I could totally use this with my 2 year old, too! She has no patience and no tolerance for waiting whatsoever!
We have an old kitchen timer that’s on its last leg but has worked magic with our older child, but this would be so much better for teaching the concept of time. I’d love to win this!
Need this for meals and snacks, which can last an hour!
This is such a great idea!
Tweeted!
Good gracious we need this for Eddie. NEED.
I tweeted!
I could use this at school! I’d love to win it!
I love this idea! I never thought about something like this! I need one!
I tweeted! (@the_bmg)
https://twitter.com/The_BMG/status/233975264969912321
YES PLEASE! (the twins just turned two, halp!)
Ever since you blogged about this, I’ve wanted it but couldn’t see myself paying $35 for it, so hopefully I win it and also win the battle of the clock with my 2 year old.
Of course I tweeted! https://twitter.com/lisacng/status/233985989557772289
i neeeeeeeeed this clock. big time.
I have a 15month old and I know this will come in handy very very soon!!
Let the countdown begin! I could use fewer screaming sessions in my house
Thanks for the giveaway! Our daughter is 18 months and transitioning from anything to any-other-thing is drama-filled.
I could really use this. I think I’ve taught my daughter to understand time based on been measuring time in Sponge Bob episodes. Not something I’m proud of. Plus, since I work for myself and sit at my laptop all day I use the timer on me!
What a valuable tool! Would love to have one!
Ava needs this clock…More importantly, WE need this clock so we can keep our sanity…. Thanks for the chance to win!!!
Just tweeted about the awesomeness of this clock!!!
Great idea!
My 3 yr old and husband would love this!
I would love this for my toddler!
This is a great idea! Everyone could use one of these.
WOULD LOVE THIS! My 2 1/2 y/o caveman is quickly becoming a master at testing my limits. I just bought a cheap kitchen timer to tide me over until the random selection gods have pity on me, or I have to purchase this thing and wait for it to arrive:)
Just tweeted!
Anything to diminish the drama. . . .
We are entering toddlerhood without a time timer! Please help us!
Genius! What a difference that could make!
Chole is just one but know this will be very useful soon
We are literally in search of a product that does exactly this right now. We fight meal time wars. Every. Single. Meal. How perfect! Thanks for offering one up.
I get pleasure from, cause I found exactly what I used to be looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
love this idea! I hope I win!
Oh my – we could really use this in our house right now! Thanks for the chance to win!
We need this!
Def need this. Pure melt down when the pixar movies are turned off!
i also tweeted
I need one of these clocks!
This would be awesome to use with my twin toddlers:)
I am all about a new tool to help with toddler management, I mean time management, I mean… oh HELP! I need this!
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