Disciplining kids is one of those things every parent experiments with, and Eddie recently shared a brand-new approach he’s trying with his kids.
For years, the rule in his house was simple: if his kids got in trouble, they’d sit in timeout for 15 minutes. The problem? Nothing ever changed. As soon as timeout was over, life went right back to normal. Bobby jumped in to say he remembers growing up with “old school” punishments, things like getting whipped or even soap in the mouth. To him, timeout feels like a weak version of discipline that doesn’t really measure up to what he experienced.
Amy, on the other hand, explained that for her as a parent of two adopted children like Eddie, timeout isn’t a great option either. Sending kids away on their own can actually cause more harm than good depending on their background, so she doesn’t use it. That’s when Eddie revealed his new method: push-ups. Now, when his kids act out, they don’t get sent to a corner, they drop down and give him 50. And not just anywhere, but right in front of everyone. His kids hate it in the moment, but Eddie has noticed that after they finish, they actually feel strong and proud of themselves. He loves that it not only corrects their behavior, but also helps their bodies get stronger.
Bobby joked that Eddie is basically running “kid prison” at home, but Eddie sees it as a win-win. The kids are disciplined, they get some exercise, and it avoids the negative associations that can come with punishing through food. Amy wrapped it up by reminding everyone that every parenting situation looks different. If push-ups are working for Eddie’s family, then that’s what matters most.