Couch in Time Out

My kids have gotten totally out of control as far as climbing and jumping on the couch is concerned.  No amount of yelling, screaming, ear-flickings, threats, bribes, time outs, sweet talk, or downright beatings (there were no beatings) seemed to work.

IT DROVE ME NUTS.

I didn't go through all the effort of buying this nice couch (not to mention spending all that money!) only to have my children destroy it.

And destroying it they were - the edges were getting frayed and I can only imagine what all of the jumping was doing to the springs.

Plus, whenever they went to someone else's house they seemed to think it was okay to jump on the couches.  WHICH IT IS NOT.

It was seriously like a compulsion or a habit; half of the time they didn't seem to to even realize they were doing it until I pointed it out.  Cole is by far the worst culprit and was the instigator at the beginning; but just last week I had to get after both Spencer and Josh several times each, and they are both certainly old enough to know better and control themselves.

So the other day I got fed up and took matters into my own hands.

Yes, the couch is now in time out.

It was either this or murder the children.  (I'm kidding.) ((Mostly.))

There is sits, forlornly against the wall, with an itchy rug on top to protect it.  So far my plan has worked pretty well.  How long will the couch have to be in time out?  Several more weeks, I suspect.  So if you come over, be prepared to either sit on the floor or use the downstairs couches.  (I'm kidding.)  ((No I'm not.))