This TikTok mama’s ‘calming corner’ is positive parenting goals 🙌

Maarte Mami made the cutest alternative to time outs.
Years ago time-outs came into vogue as an alternative to spanking, but as research in child and family psychology and parenting techniques evolved, the modern generation of mamas is looking beyond punitive time-outs and more to how we can help kids find the time and place to find their calm. That’s why TikTok user, Maarte Mami is going mega-viral this week, because this mama stopped doing time outs and set up a “calming corner” for her son in her living room. It’s a sensory experience, a soft rug with comfy pillows and toys he can use to center himself through relaxation and play.
“After about a year I made a choice to do away with time outs because there are such big emotions that lead up to timeouts, and it didn’t seem effective to me to leave my son to sit alone with these big, scary emotions ,” the TikToker explains. Instead of time out being the consequence to a behavior, the calming corner (what some parents and child psychology experts refer to as a “time-in”) allows her son to regulate his own emotions and behaviors in a healthy way. “This gives him a super comfy, safe space as an outlet to reflect, center his mind, process his thoughts, and regulate his emotions. The calming corner allows him to do this because he can meditate, do breathing exercises, or just sit and relax and calm himself via the tools that appeal to his five senses.” As Montessori teacher Christina Clemer previously explained for Motherly , “Time-in removes a child from a situation or behavior just like a time out. The difference is that you stay with your child, rather than sending them away.” Family therapist Jessie Bohnenkamp also recommends time-ins, suggesting “when a child loses their cool, take them to a quiet space (their room, outside the restaurant, the car), and then simply let them vent their emotions.