WHAT IS TAKING A TIME OUT?

Taking a timeout is one of the most important tools you will learn it is very important that each partner knows the importance and value of the time out. Respect the use of timeouts underlined a timeout may be used by either you or your partner. It is a break from the relationship.
Timeouts may be difficult to do at first.
Why? Our impulse is to stay and finish a conflict, take control, defend ourselves, or at least get in the last word. Or we may fear of partner will be gone when we return. Using timeouts is part of a trust building and part of healthy relationships. As each partner follows through with his or her part in taking a timeout, trust grows in each other and the relationship. Trust takes time to develop. Don’t expect trust to happen overnight. Trust requires patience. Timeouts can safeguard your relationship.

The thought of using timeouts in your relationship may be difficult at first. Usually, it gets easier with time. A good way to begin using timeouts is to practice them before you are in an escalated argument. It is much easier to become familiar and comfortable with something when you’re not angry , hyper-aroused or worked up. Timeouts work because couples can’t be violent with each other when both partners are cooling off men and women have successfully used timeouts to stop emotionally bankrupting the relationship or stopping violence.

Drugs and or alcohol use can be an enemy to timeouts. People sometimes use drugs and alcohol or alcohol during the time. Two didn’t or non-feelings or deal with the pain and loneliness that can come from conflict. We recommend during a timeout one uses drugs or alcohol. It is also recommended that no one drive or be around weapons of any kind.

How to take a timeout

Whenever you feel any or all of the following reactions take a timeout. The first moment you feel your anger rising, your body getting tense, your heart racing, your body getting hot or you feel frustrated or out-of-control say out loud to yourself and to your partner I need to take a timeout. This is to be said in a normal level and the tone of voice it should not be said in a loud angry voice. make no threatening gestures.
We’ve for a prearranged amount of time usually it takes a minimum of 15 minutes for the blood pressure and angry symptoms to start going down. Depending on the conflict, the coming down. From anger can take much longer. During the timeout., You should not drink, use drugs or drive. It is better for you to go for a walk or exercise. Do something physical to use up build up energy. It is also important to use self talk to help change negative distorted thoughts. Children should not listen to or watch parents argue, or be mediators for their parents violence, or be put in a position where they might attempt physically protect apparent. Children are negatively affected by violence.

When you return in the prearranged amount of time check in with your partner and tell him or her that you have come back from your timeout ask your partner if they would like to talk to you at that time. If you both agree to talk about the situation, take there this time to communicate what made you and your partner angry or frightened or how you both were feeling. If one of you doesn’t want to talk yet, respect your partner’s needs. Don’t resolve don’t try to resolve the issue at that time. Check back with your partner at a later agreed upon amount of time. Do not badger your partner by repeatedly checking back. If angry feelings start to rise again start over with another time out. Your partner also has the right to take a timeout when he or she begins to feel angry or frightened. In the beginning, you may find that you both have to take many timeouts to resolve the problem. It is normal in the beginning. Remember you are learning a new tool.

How to take a timeout

Step one: say to your partner, “ I’m beginning to feel angry. I need to take a timeout. Use ice statements. By saying what is going on for you and taking a timeout, you are building up trust and choosing a behavior that is not violent. Instead of being physically sexually or emotionally violent, you can choose to walk away. This will help develop trust in the relationship and developed trust in your ability to be nonviolent give a T signal you are leaving if you are unable to talk your partner is entitled to give a T signal or tell you that he or she is frightened and take a timeout

Step two: leaving for a prearranged. Of time
Stay away for an agreed amount of time. You and your partner can determine the best time for you both between a minimum of 15 minutes and a maximum of one hour. Obviously you cannot return within an hour because you think you may be violent do not return. Phone or get word to your partner that you need more time.

Step three: don’t drink, use drugs, drive or involve the children in your argument.
Using drugs and or alcohol during a timeout will only make a situation worse. Driving while intoxicated or angry can be lethal. Children are not to be used to solve your relationship disagreement. You are an adult.

Step four: Do something physical
Go for a walk, a run, a bike ride, etc. This will help discharge some of the tension in your body. However, talking yourself out of anger is critical. Challenge her negative distorted thoughts to help bring down your angry feelings.

Step five: come back in the agreed amount of time
When you make a contract with someone it is binding. If you take a timeout come back in the specified time period. Keep your word. This will help increase the trust in your relationship. Living up to the agreement shows your partner that you are not trying to avoid dealing with the difficult issues. If you are not able to come back to your partner and be nonviolent, check in with him or her and state you need more time. Give a specific time when you will be back to check in. Do not discuss anything else at this time but when you both will both meet again.

Step six: check in

Checking in is the completion part of the time out. Always ask your partner if they are willing to talk when you return. If you both agree, sit down in the neutral place, without children present, and talk about your feelings. By using ice statements and positive communication skills begin to listen and discuss emotional issues.

Some topics of conversation maybe too emotionally charged to talk about. If this is true in your situation, put that issue off for a while and bring it to therapy. I’d knowledge that it is too difficult for the two of you to discuss it alone. Wait until you both have learned healthy ways to resolve conflict. Or you may need to consider taking these issues to a counselor to help resolve the problem. Always remember the first priority when resolving a conflict you will problem is to remain nonviolent resolve kind conflict you will problems by using nonviolence skills nothing could be more important than stopping the violence at a time out can always be taken

Time out contract

Step one: I the benefits and concepts of a timeout will be discussed with my partner if they are willing, and the agreement will be made by both people to uphold the contract.’ m out contract
Step two:
When I realize that my anger or my partners anger is rising, I will give ATC know for timeout or signal my partner and I agree on and I will leave at once. I will not hit or kick anything I will not slam the door.
Step three:
I will return in a few minutes or have contact with my partner no later than one hour. I will take a walk, call and talk to a friend, or get some exercise to use up my angry energy. I will not drink or use drugs or drive while I’m away. I will not involve my children in any arguments with my partner I will use my self talk and focused on cooling down I will not focus on resentments. If I still feel my angry S anger of escalating, I will tell my partner I need more time. I will not choose to become violent.

Step four:
When I return I will start the conversation with I want to resolve the argument. The results I would like to achieve our… I will take this accountability for my actions and discuss calmly how I feel and what I desire. Practice safe resolution.

Additional information:
If my partner gives the timeout signal and leaves I will calmly return the signal and let my partner go without this agreement or following them not, no matter what is going on. I will let my partner walk away. I will not drink or use drugs while my partners away. I will not involve the children in any argument with my partner. I will avoid focusing on resentments. I will use self talk to calm myself. When my partner returns, I will calmly listen to what he or she has to say. I agree that my partner is entitled to express himself or herself. My partner and I will both get the term expressing ourselves.

Date:

Signature:

Signature: