Time to Lay Down The Law

It's one of the saddest posts I've had to make so far. Perhaps the most vivid sign that our little baby is growing into a rambunctious little toddler is that now we are having to bring some discipline into the picture. I haven't yet introduced the horse whip, or the popular technique of starvation. We don't need camera crews on our doorstep just yet. So, we are sticking with the very early phases of Timeout.
It's hard to go full-force on discipline since his vocabulary is limited, as is what he understands. However, he knows the word "No" and what it means, and has for a couple of months now. Over the weekend, we put out his Play Yard near the front entry of the house, assigning that as his Timeout spot.
Monday, while I was at work, Kole fell into a familiar old trap. The kitchen trash can has multiple purposes. I think there's a post on this blog somewhere of him looking at his reflection in the stainless steel. He still does that, and it entertains the whole house when he notices himself. However, he is forbidden from opening the lid. All it leads to is him reaching in and pulling out garbage - so long ago we put an end to that and saved our harshest and hardiest "NO!!!" for when he did that. We have been diligent and consistent.
So, back on Monday, he got into the trash can and Kathy gave him - from a distance, wherever she was - a firm verbal "NO!", which he noticed, stopped, and the episode came to a halt. Maybe 10 seconds later, he was back at it, lifting the lid as he looked straight as his Mommy, as if saying "so ... I'll do this all day. I have time" Kathy had to respond with more "NO"s, then took him to his Timeout spot.
Kathy said it took about a 5-Mississippi count before he looked around and realized his toy-less surroundings, and immediatly burst out into a violent tearless cry. She waited only a minute or two, then got him out.
Lesson learned? Well, he doesn't exactly ignore the trash can, but he hasn't had to be put in Timeout since.