my struggle with timeouts is 1) i just don't think my kid is receptive to them. she is too strong-willed. i know how this sounds coming from the mouth of a parent, but i was a nanny for 10 years and know the power of the timeout well! but i've met kids who just don't respond and my daughter seems to be one of them. in desperation i have told her to sit on the stairs, but it only makes the situation go from 2 to 13 on a scale of 10. she freaks out more and runs away. and 2) my daughter is just 2 and while she has lots of words, i just don't think she has developed her ability to use them. her temperament is such that she reacts physically first and while yes, this is not an acceptable way to react, i don't want to "punish" her for feeling that emotion. FWIW, i know i am making my own life difficult here by having that view of timeouts and i stand in no judgement of parents who use them. i know we all have to do what works for our kids.