What's Your Opinion on Putting Soap in a Kid's Mouth as a Form of Discipline?
By Teresa W.
@horsesrule (1957)
United States
April 18, 2009 5:14am CST
I am referring to the practice of "washing your kids mouth out with soap" for either saying bad words or talking back to you, the parent.
My take on it is this - it is abusive and over the line. I don't believe it can be considered a form of discipline because it is abuse, plain and simple. I didn't do it to my daughter when she was growing up and I sure won't be doing it to my grandsons either (cuz I live with them). And no, my daughter doesn't advocate it either, thank goodness!
And yes, my parents did it to me and my brother so I am aware that I am not entirely rational on the subject. I can't think about what my parents did when I was a kid though because if I do, I can't have a relationship with them now that I am an adult. Gotta compartmentalize and separate the then and the now. Years of counseling helped, believe me!
But I admit, the whole soap in a kids mouth really makes me angry. Ain't gonna do it, EVER!
And more of my thoughts on discipline....
If a parent says cuss words then they can't take the moral high ground and punish their kids for saying the same words and especially not with soap in the mouth. That's child abuse. It's also hypocrisy and a double standard and it's not the way to teach a child about fairness and decency either.
Of course it is a way to raise a severely dysfunctional child who then becomes a severely dysfunctional adult. And believe me, I know this from personal experience.
2 people like this
16 responses
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
18 Apr 09
I've heard people threaten it to their kids but I don't recall ever knowing anyone to actually do it. I defiantly would not do it. I fail to see where that would stop your son/daughter from swearing. There just has to be a better way.
2 people like this
@meandmy3 (2227)
• United States
18 Apr 09
A lot of parents in my neighborhood do what is called Sassy Spray. They mix vinegar and water together and spray it in the childs mouth. It works for them. I for one use 1 2 3 magic and select not to spray my childs mouth and or use soap to wash it out.
@psychotaz206 (2086)
• United States
21 Apr 09
i have done it with 2 of my children but it didnt work anyways they said it taste good and they blew bubbles i was told by a tharapist that its not abuse and for mr to try it but like i said it didnt work.
1 person likes this
@rtslvtwy (1088)
• Malaysia
18 Apr 09
How can that be a disciplinary kind of thing and I think that the parents themselves ought to be discipline first if any were to practice such thing at home.
This is a way "No No" thing to do to a kid. There are many other ways you can discipline a child if they were to say cuss words or curse. You can punish them in other better ways such as removal of privilege and stuffs like that.
@babylucy2008 (128)
• Australia
18 Apr 09
i would never do that to my kids i wont even smack them
2 people like this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
18 Apr 09
I agree with you that it is an act of abuse. I don't think that body soap was MEANT to be put in people's mouths. Also, as parents, are we not always telling our kids not to put such-and-such in theor mouths? Isn't it circular logic to put soap in a kid's mouth after telling that kid not to do the very same thing?
1 person likes this
@kezabelle (2974)
•
22 Apr 09
Personally i think it is disgusting! A friend of mine did this with her child all she could say was well it worked, for me that is not the be all of punishment, ok so it worked he no longer used dirty words however there is a total lack of discapine full stop so he continues to punch hit kick and generally be nasty to his peers.
I feel a suitable form of discapline be that the word no or time out well used constructively and consistantly works a lot better in the long run than shoving soap in a kids mouth!
@xiaouie15 (289)
• Philippines
2 May 09
Oh that is terrible. I love my child so much. That is not a good child rearing practice and yah as you've stated, it is child abuse.
@summergirl0325 (63)
• United States
19 Apr 09
i do belive in do that i got it has a little kids so i have done it to my daughter too but i have only had to do it once she was back talking me and i have dont everthing esle to disciline her so i put a little it on the tip of my finger and rubbed it in her mouth and ever since then she has not back talk me so i do belive it does work to get the kids to stop doing what they are doing wrong and there is nothing wrong with it becasue most soap are non toxic so there is nothing in there to hurt them
1 person likes this
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
19 Apr 09
You are so right on every level. Soap in the mouth is abusive and disgusting. My mom did that to my brother and I think one of my sisters. Its just not right at all. As for the cursing I feel the same way if the parents are going to curse how do you think your kids are not going to pick up the habit. Young kids are like a sponge they absorb every last word you say and will repeat it. So start from the beginning when they are toddlers and don't curse in front of them or not at all.
1 person likes this
@mira91 (985)
• Singapore
19 Apr 09
Yea man...That's absolutely NO WAY to treat a child...If i were a child i'd be living in fear! rather than feel disciplined not to do it again...Especially when we say it all the time, we have no right doing that to the child...It isn't even qualified to be called a measure of discipline, i strongly agree that it's abuse!...It's inhumane!..It wouldn't take a stupid person to see how cruel such an action would be...I'll never treat my child that way...={
1 person likes this
@scootersangel (3)
• United States
19 Apr 09
well i remember i got soap in my mouth when i was little and i have raisded 2 kids of my own and i always explain to my kids right from wrong and my oldest is going on 20 next month and still wont disrespect me every time one of my kids attempt to disrespect any body i correct them u cant let it slide not once and my youngest is 3 so yea it isant easy but i have to stay on top of him cause all the kids thinks it is cute when he use to say shut up and then he started to tell me to shut up and i told him that wasent nice so then he started saying shut up please so yea it is hard to discipline ur kids when they say such cute things but discipline and soap dont need to go together soap is for washing the kids and our self thats what tooth paste is for is the mouth god gave us children to love and help guild them through life hope this helps your mylot friend angel
1 person likes this
@XxlenalouisexX (73)
• United States
24 Apr 09
if it works, then it works! i would only use it as a last resort tho!
@mariannelette (22)
• Philippines
19 Apr 09
well my i think thats not the good disciplen,
u can talk to him,and tell hil that it was not right sayong bad words,
just dont hurt him too much...
