When to Make an Exception During Punishment?

Never issue a punishment you can't stick with. If he's really that sick he'll want to sleep anyway. And if he's not that sick, his punishment won't do him any harm. It's not good for a 5 yr old to be addicted to TV or video games whether he's sick or not. You might want to think about limiting both to a few hours a week even for good behavior. If he was running around outside and tiring himself out, he'd have less energy to be biting his sister with.

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Unless there is some sort of underlying medical issue, biting at FIVE is completely INAPPROPRIATE. I applaud you for a real punishment for a something that is a serious issue. He is a little guy, but he can do some serious damage with his mouth and this behavior must end.

I don't think you should give in. Even my THREE year old remembers when I lapse from the usual rules--no matter how I feel in the moment, I always regret it later. Punishments for kids are ALWAYS punishment for the parents too...it is the sacrifice you make. He needs the extra sleep.

Maybe a quick run to the library for a book on tape?

Response to edit: I have a biter too...so I know what you're talking about. Our peditricians would disagree, mine said that she shouldn't be doing it at age three. Period. Guess there really isn't one right answer.

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You cannot give in. SIck or not he's still in trouble. He'll learn from that and think of other ways to get out of punishment in the future. Trust me, I did it to my mom. We never give in to our kids and they know when we say they are grounded, they are grounded! I would let him lay in bed and look at/read books. Anything learning.

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Stay with the discipline!! And next time set the discipline with something that might be more appropriate for a 5 yr old and something that works better for you. If you dish out the discipline then don't fold. Plus biting someone at the age of five is never acceptable!

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I think the punishment is fair...and I would not allow him to watch it today even though he is sick. And I do understand that is more of a punishment for you, but in the long run its setting the bar. Hope he feels better soon!

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How adorable that he followed thru with the consequence himself (in your update). I'd have said to stick with the punishment. Yes it's hard on mom, but it would have shown your lack of abiding by a rule/consequence that you yourself set.

Good luck. Hope he feels better! Have fun playing puzzles and reading books. Give him special 'sick treatment' like a ginger-ale or go buy Battleship or Memory. I was sick a lot as a kid and learned to LOVE playing Memory.

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For me it would depend... how badly to you NOT want him to start faking being sick when he gets in trouble the next time?

Kid's minds are amazing. He won't do it on purpose... but his mind will say sick = no punishment. And he'll try it. A lot. For awhile. He may even make himself sick by getting so physically upset/ wanting to be sick.

I personally don't think there's a wrong answer to your Q. But either answer has consequences.

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Instead of looking at no tv as a punishment to mom, no TV also makes for an inventive mom as well.

IMO, I say no tv. And then you can catch up on those things that need to be caught up on while you child is in bed...sleeping...cause if he's well enough to be up and running around under foot, he's well enough to take to school and finish out the day.

Good luck to you.

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We've all made these kinds of choices to suspend or end punishment. It usually backfires on us. Your son is well old enough to not be biting! I would draw the line with that one. I wouldn't let him out of bed for any other reason than to go to the bathroom and eat. In fact, I'd make him eat in his room. He's sick and in trouble. He's made his bed and needs to lie in it.

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I would start with offering him books to read, some coloring, etc. Exhaust the non-tv options and tell him if he is really good, stays in bed and rests, then you may let him watch a little TV later. You know that when your kid is sick, some extra sleep is the best thing for him and TV can stimulate him more than help him rest. That alone would be a good reason not to indulge the habit for the whole day. The punishment should be respected by you as much as possible, lest they no longer be respected by him.

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I just have to ask how old his sister is, and why she doesn't get the same punishment, as she's provoking him. I can understand non-equal punishment if she's a toddler, but if she's close enough in age to know she's pushing his buttons, then I would nail her just as hard for her behaviour.

You must be doing something right if he followed through when sick :)

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Wow...I think a week of no TV/video games is too much. He is 5...I try to stick with the rule of how many minutes for how old they are. He does know better than to bite, but he is still a little guy. I would have a little chat with him and make sure he even knows why he is still being punished. But yes, I would definitely let him watch TV today...and I am not one to normally go back on punishments...but I guess it's easier for me when my punishments are generally for 7, 5, or 3 minutes :o).

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Stick with the punishment .......sick or not he will own you if you give in. Next time make a shorter punishment. One you can live with also!!

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Mom,
I would stick to the punishment since you set it. I teach young children his age and do think wthholding TV for 7 days for a 5 yr old is too lengthy, but you are the Mom. Just curious, how old is the sister who is provoking him? I hope she is a young and you are teaching not to pester her brother so much. It seems like his natural instinct is to react suddenly if she pinches him. You mentioned he has been biting periodically for over 3 yrs, did sister happen to be born at that time? Encourage your son to "use his words" with his sister rather to to be physical when she bothers him. Teach him to tell her firmly with a raised voice, "Stop! I don't like it when you pinch me". Tell him he is a big boy now and if she continues to pester him after talking to her once, he needs to go to you or Dad and let you know. It sounds like sister may be picking on him or knows how to push his buttons. I hope she is much younger than he is and doesn't know better. Good luck Mom

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Don't change the rules. As they get older and he is on his punishment. When he gets sick. He thinks he can watch tv.

I know you already answered your 'so what happened'. I just wanted to add the only time I have made an exception on punishment was when we already had a vacation planned and paid for (prior to him getting in trouble) but the minute we returned home the punishment resumed.