It has come down to this

Yes, that's right folks. I have crossed the line in parenting... I am officially "OLD." Last night I put soap in my kid's mouth (for just a second). The crazy temper tantrum for no reason in the shower I could deal with. The kicking and screaming afterward while brushing teeth, no problem. Looking at me straight in the eyes and saying "you are STUPID mommy!" (not once but twice) was the deal breaker.

We are trying to teach our kids not to say "bad" words. I don't curse and even don't say words that most don't consider "bad" like "stupid" or "shut up." My husband leaves his potty mouth at the construction site and tries to use language appropriate for a Christian home when with me and the kids. We are having a challenging time with our preschooler (just turned 4) using what I call "potty talk." Poo poo this and poo poo that. Like "poo poo head." Um hello! That is the toddler equivalent of calling someone a sh*t head! Not OK. At all. Unfortunately his little 2 year old brother copies everything he says... so we've got that going for us too.

About 2 weeks ago during one of our "please don't say that word" discussions my husband threatened soap in the mouth. Hmmmm, I never thought of that! So we have threatened a few times and that's all it took. Until last night. I did it, I put soap in a 2 year old's mouth for being mean to mommy (and I did NOT deserve it folks. If I did I would not have punished him) and calling her names. The sad thing is that he didn't seem to offended by the whole thing until he was laying in bed (immediately after b/c we were getting ready for bed) and asked for water. He said his tongue was yucky. At first I said no. Afterall that's what you get for calling mommy "stupid" - but then again I ALWAYS give him a sippy with water in it for bed...so I gave him one. I talked with him about why he was getting no books (the previous temper tantrum and such) and why he got the soap. Told him I loved him and shut the door. My husband later went in to say good night while putting his brother in there to sleep also.

Funny thing is, I was looking for the above picture from A Christmas Story, and came accross some very interesting theories on soap in a child's mouth. As in they think it deserves a call to CPS b/c it should be considered child abuse. What? Really? Oh wait, these are the same people who don't believe in spanking. Right. Let me tell you one more thing. I was NOT spanked as a child and never had soap in my mouth. I WAS A BRAT and remembering my actions makes me beg Jesus for mercy and pray to help me raise my children to be more respectful than I was. When my husband and I were pregnant the first time and discussing parenting, I told him I believed that I deserved spanking and never got it and therefore turned out disrespectful and naughty. He was spanked and was a very good child until he rebelled at the age of 12-14.

Sooooo, what do you think? Would you ever put soap in your child's mouth?

My little strong willed Owen. I love you buddy...