Is it mental abuse to punish a child by placing him outside in the dark for a time and then letting him in.?

Question

Iam concerned about a child in my preschool who's father does not believe in spanking but punishes his 4 year old by placing him outside in the dark to make him "come to grips" with his bad behavior. This child acts out and has a terrible anger management problem. I fear it is a reflection of the "real" behavior he sees at home, though the father appears to be warm and caring. (So did Ted Bundy)

Answer 1

Yes, this is mental cruelty.

Answer 2

I agree that you should call social services and report this parent. Putting a child in the dark will only make him terrified. And putting him outside will only put him in danger. I discipline my 3 y/o son the same way I was. He has a special circle, cut out of colored cardboard or construction paper about 3 inches in diameter placed on the wall with tape at about his nose level. When he gets in trouble, he has to stand with his nose touching the circle. This way, he can hear what is going on around him, but he cannot see it because his face is so close to the wall. It works well for my son because he is a very sociable child and he can't stand not being able to interact with people. I use it like a timeout. He only has to stand there for a minute or two before he is willing to behave. Now, when we catch him doing something wrong, he says "No circle, I'll be good!" Talk to the director at your school (and parents)to see if this type of time out is ok with them. It works, I promise!

Answer 3

If you are the preschool teacher- call the child protective agency in your area- this is a child not a dog!

Step in and try to make this childs life better.

Once a woman put her child out in the snow with a sign about skipping school. He was out there an hour, the woman went to jail!

Mental abuse is more damaging than physical. But depending on where you live-putting a child in certain temperatures could be life threatening.

If he is telling you about this, he is wanting help.

Please help him.

Answer 4

For how long? If he is sent to stand outside on the porch for one minute I say mind your own business. Each child has difficulties to overcome w/ paretal guidance. I have held my child down for ten minutes to calm her when in a rage. Doctor's orders!! But to send a kid out alone to wonder for unlimited time and no supervision, I say the guy needs some help with parenting, they have classes to assist him. Is he keeping the child safe, warm with a bed, clothes, clean, well fed, and always supervised? I would need more info b4 jumping to conclusions.



And how do you know this to be true? Have you witnessed this yourself or is it heresay? Be careful about what you do in accusing, you must live with your choices as well. Kids cannot rule the home, parents ened control, educated adn tried true methods are the best. Be sure you are not being a busy body. If this man is really torturing the child, he needs help to get better ways to manage the child. Seek help, not punishment.

Answer 5

Yes, the child does not learn anything other than his father won't be there for him when he's afraid. A quiet corner inside the house or a "naughty chair" or other designated area for the child to calm down sounds like what the child needs. Try looking into the Love and Logic Institute, they are wonderful at teaching you to discipline your child without losing your temper or respect. Their input has worked wonders in our home.

Answer 6

I have never heard of a parent doing that. That is terrible. I have 3 young boys, 4, 3, and 8 months. When they do something wrong they get to stand on the wall.

Answer 7

That is Horrible, and "time out" is a crock of sh** too. I do believe in a spank once in a while,if its a serious offense. But only one swat on the butt,NEVER in the face/head area,and never with thier pants pulled down.But do use something that they can kinda feel like a belt or paddle,but just once.Thats only in the EXTREME.

Answer 8

I believe that this is cruel. I personally am 19 and still afraid of the dark. For someone who is deathly afraid, this can be very tramatising. I would recomend putting the child in te corner.

Answer 9

Yes, it's cruel. Making him stand/sit in the corner is one thing. My sis used to have to make her 4 yr old son have 'time out' in the hallway - he could sit on the bottom step and not move until the time was up - he was safe, because we could see him and could grab him if started up the stairs or did anything that could hurt himself, and it gave him enough time to calm down.

Answer 10

Yes, that is very cruel, call social services on his as*. Its your job as a teacher to look after your kids. Do the right thing and put the good parents at ease that we can trust our kids in you safety.

Answer 11

THis is worse than spanking find out what the kid wants to do and if hes bad don't let him do that. It worked for me

Answer 12

I think that father should be tested for smoking crack.. That is ridiculous.. Someone needs to call social services on him and have soemthing done right away!

Answer 13

yes its abuse and as a child care worker you should have already reported him to social services thats you job i to im a child care giver and i had to sign a paper stating that if i did not report abuse that i to could get charged so if i was you i would report it.

Answer 14

THAT IS ABUSE YOU CAN PUNISH A 4 YEAR OLD WITHOUT ... THAT DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT....

Answer 15

HELL YES! that's awful.... that sort of environment breeds serial killers.