Air Horns

Is it ok to use one of those canned air horns for discipline?

I have to keep my 2 nephews for a WEEK and they are bratty. Last time they stayed over, if they would start fighting I would blow my air horn at them and it would make them stop. I told my sister, who got mad and said it was mean to not do it. But, I cannot handle 4 year olds fighting. How else can I break them up?

Public Comments

1. lol yeah that could work.. it's only a week.. just try to bear it.. and have fun counting down the days. (: answer?:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArqYf2tOu7A5y7nQlEz1dfzsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090525221439AAXUxda
2. No its not mean. If that is the only way to get their attention, why not. And if your sister feels like you are in the wrong, tell her to keep them. What happens when they start regulary school? Go figure.......
3. Personally i have a four year old child and i would really offended if anyone used an air horn as discipline for my child . There are much easier ways , put them both in time out or take what they are fighting over . Or simply don't watch them if they stress you out this much . Kids will be kids and they are always going to fight but you just have to find what discipline works for you and your sister if your going to watch them .
4. I don't think it's mean, it's a way to grab their attention. It is way better than yelling. However, four year olds do have sensitive eardrums compared to adults, so it would be abusive and harmful to use close to their ears. It sounds like you are using it as an attention grabber, so I say whatever works. To play devils advocate again, if they are your sister's children she does have the right to say that she doesn't want her children disciplined that way. She can really only complain if she can offer an alternative that is just as effective Good luck on that week!
5. that is too loud specially inside the house, their ears are more sensitive than ours... keep them busy.... try to take them to the park for a while so they can get really tired and take naps right around noon... (after lunch) so they can get good night sleep. thats all i can tell you... the horn is just tooo loud for them... I wouldnt want anybody to discipline my kids that way.. if they have a favorite toy take it away and say if you dont stop then i wont give it back... boys are boys and they are gona act like that. if they are not destroying your house i say let them play.... or take them out in the yard... ;) How about a whistle? is less loud :D
6. I suppose that would depend upon what they are fighting over. Airhorns aren't real dangerous, but several uses might impair their hearing a bit. Typically it's better to teach them other ways to handle the situation and learn what they are fighting about than to try and stop it with such peculiar methods, but at least it's better than some methods I've heard of.
7. Wow...Uh,,,No...Im pretty sure thats abuse....
8. go ahead and deafen your nephews. its only just considered child abuse
9. Behavorial conditioning in such a negative manner can lead to unwanted psychological reprecussions. Consider Little Albert and the white rat. http://www.mucknmire.com/wam101/watson.html
10. No i don't think it is ok. There are other ways to deal with misbehaving children. Air horns are loud, and besides scaring them it could cause damage to their ears, being so young! If you cannot handle it, then you shouldnt be looking after them! Also, if your sister has asked you not to use the air horn, you should respect her wishes, they are her children and nothing will upset her more than if she thinks you are doing something to them she doesnt agree with- especially if she has already told you that she doesnt like you doing it! Obviously looking after kids isnt for you, so next time say you cant.
11. Funny. Anyone offended by that needs to grow up. If it works and the kid isn't hurt by it, do it! To the people above, the horn isn't going off in their ears! It is not child abuse. I rather hear an air horn than a kid's piercing scream.
12. I would be worried about it damaging their hearing! Try other punishments. What I would also do is take those boys to the park every day, or anywhere else outside where they can run and play, and let the little stinkers wear themselves out! I actually did this today with my son and my nephew. They kept fighting over the stupidest crap, so I took them outside for a couple hours, playing ball, picking up trash, chasing the dogs, and generally just wore them flat out. Their behavior the rest of the day was ALMOST perfect (ha).
13. I'd really be worried about causing hearing loss or damage to their ears. Especially since they're so young. I guess if you have to do it, at least do it far from ear shot but close enough to get their attention. One thing I would do is seperate them and send each one to a different room if they can't get along.