Soap in the mouth?

Question

Is putting soap in a child's mouth harmful to them in anyway? And, what are some good alternatives to turning them off of swearing?

Answer 1

My mom used really hot I mean really hot hot sauce. She tried the soap thing didn't work really well. I mean she would hold down my older brother and make sure she got some in his mouth. You can also try a swear jar if your child gets allowance. Even thorugh the hot sauce didn't work for my older brother because he was to far gone, but with my younger brother oh boy did it work on him.

Answer 2

putting soap in a child's mouth is harmful to their dignity and feelings of self-worth. it's a horrible taste and the chemicals can't be good for them. putting soap in a child's mouth is, at base, a violent assault. how is this supposed to do anything but humiliate and degrade and embarass and anger them? seriously?

the job of a parent is to teach a child how to act. the job of a parent is to not punish a child for not knowing how to act. now, a child only learns to swear from hearing swear words. who is swearing? surely not the person who deems it okay to put soap in said child's mouth? for then, of course, the child learns hypocrisy on top of every other violation this punishment brings.

What are good ways to turn them off swearing? Well, ask them, for starters. Also, realize that whatever you give attention to, you will get more of. A child who is not getting enough attention can get parents' interest quick by swearing. Negative attention is better than no attention. So, best overall strategy: lots of attention and positive feedback when your child is doing what you wish and as much ignoring as possible when they are not.

Also, what age child are you talking about? A young child will want to know that there are right times and wrong times, right places and wrong places, for certain words and that they must be careful, as a good person, never to use those words in the wrong place or time lest they needlessly offend someone. An older child should be talked with honestly about representing themselves and the family in a less than classy way, the impact of cursing on how other's perceive them, the comfort of those they care about who overhear cursing, and the obligation of any person to their larger group. An older child could be helped to break a bad habit with a swear-jar they pay into.

Discipline begins early and is based on the parent-child relationship. Violent parenting shuts down the communication and trust and really hinders a parent's ability to guide their child and get cooperation on the long journey to teaching a kid to act right and responsibly. After all, we're not teaching them so they don't embarass us in front of our friends. We're teaching them because their ability to function as adults depends upon it.

"How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen to Kids Will Talk" is a fabulous, simple, easy to understand and implement book on really good parenting techniques. Coming from a background where soap would definitely have been used, I needed all the info I could get on how to do things differently. That book provides it wonderfully.

Good luck to all.

Answer 3

Americans seem so hung up on how bad it is but seem to think beating there kids butt is o.k. A bit of soap in the mouth is not harmful. They are not eating it just some in the mouth and they spit it out. Worked wonders for my son. I did it once and he never lied again. If you are a bit worried use a natural soap made of palm olive

Answer 4

I put soap in my sons mouth and he is fine (and let me tell you he didn't swear that often) He is 12 now BUT the funny thing is just the other day I was reading the dish soap bottle (that is what I used) and it says not to ingest. Ineteresting. Up to you I guess. I will do it with my other kids. My mom used pepper on the tongue and I have heard of tobasco sauce (which I think is way too hot)

Answer 5

It is not harmful--so long as it is not swallowed. And it does work--at least for me it has. I cut off a small chunk and have them chew it--and hold it for the length of an egg timer. Then be sure they rinse their mouth out good.

As an alternative you could spank.

Or I suppose you could do grounding, no TV or something like that--although I don't really think this sort of punishment is all that effective.

Answer 6

It may not be harmful technically speaking, yet there are easier ways to stop a child from swearing, i.e. set the example. You yourself stop swearing. And don't tolerate it in your home. If you are past that point then make a stand in your home that there isno swearing. Easiest is to set the example

Answer 7

My mom never did that but my older sister tried it when she baby sat me because I "argued" with my brother. ( I was about 6). It got in my eyes and burned my eyes (Increase change of blindness) and I got a serious allergic re-action since I was allergic to that brand in the first place.

In a lot of places, it is illegal. Poison control will turn it in to authorities as possible child abuse.

Children's first language is learned in the home. It is contradictory to cuss in front of a child and not expect them to use the same language. Other children at school cuss and proper teaching of appropriate language needs to be set as example and disciplined.

Embarrassment of others criticizing my words was enough for me to not have a potty mouth.

Answer 8

soap in the mouth can indeed be harmful, it is cruel, and mean,
make them pay part of their allowance, in a jar every time they swear, then, use the saved money to buy yourself something pretty!
if ingested, soap can make your child have horrid diarreah.

Answer 9

I would think if the child is using the soap to wash his body he won't have an allergic reation to it. I figure if you aren't sticking the bar in his mouth he won't accidentally choke on it. I called my mother stupid once and so she soaped up a wash cloth and vigorously rubbed my tongue. Then she rinsed helped me rinse my mouth out. Obviously didn't kill or harm me...and I never did that again.

Answer 10

Why is pure speech and consideration of others important to you? Why is it important to God? Talk to them and explain why you have chosen to refrain from swearing, despite the immediate gratification of doing so. Small people can understand concepts and be taught values, just as older ones can.