Q&A: Are time-ins better than time-outs?

Q&A: Are time-ins better than time-outs?

From Securely Attached by Dr. Sarah Bren

April 2, 2026 · 26 min · Episode 399

About this episode

This episode addresses parenting questions about the effectiveness of time-ins versus time-outs and offers insights into child behavior and discipline strategies.

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about... What a time-in actually is and how it's different from a time-out. How to tell if your child's behavior is coming from dysregulation, a skill gap, or deliberate behavior. How to know which discipline tools will work best in each unique situation. The difference between co-regulating during a meltdown and teaching a behavioral boundary (and how to know when to use each). How to use time-outs as a teaching tool, not a punishment. How developmental stages affect behaviors like hitting, tantrums, and defiance—and what realistic expectations to set. Why trying to find the "perfect parenting script" often makes discipline harder. The one question to ask yourself that will help you decide what to do in the moment. If you've ever found yourself wondering whether you should comfort your child, correct the behavior, or step away entirely, this episode will help you zoom out, understand what's really going on underneath the behavior, and respond more intentionally. REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES: 🔗 Longitudinal Relationship Between Time-Out and Child Emotional and…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Sarah Bren

Guest: Dr. Rebecca Hershberg

Topics covered

  • discipline strategies
  • time-ins
  • time-outs
  • child behavior
  • parenting questions
  • co-regulation
  • developmental stages

Keywords

  • time-in
  • time-out
  • discipline
  • child behavior
  • parenting
  • co-regulation
  • meltdown
  • behavioral boundary
  • developmental stages

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