The main play area is in the basement and his bedroom is on the third floor, so it isn't quite that simple to just haul him up 3 flights of stairs every time he hits. And no, sorry but I'm not going to put a not even 2 yrs old in a 20 minutes time out. Not my style. 1 minute per year over here when and if they get time outs. I very rarely even resort time outs over here because I don't believe it teaches them much of anything until they are older.
I DO love the playpen idea though. Where I can put him sternly for a minute or 2 while I shower the "victim" with pity where he can see in an effort to encourage empathy/sympathy, and see what he misses out on. He does get plenty of 'just mommy' time during the day (I take him with me to prepare meals, put him to bed last so we can snuggle in the rocker, and he wakes up first so we have about 1/2 hr to ourselves.) He's just going through this horrible phase....but it really makes me feel better just typing it out!!!
Thank you ladies for being so sweet and helpful!!!