Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Oh Spit.

All the time, it seems. He just wants to spit and I find this a most difficult discipline situation. I mean, how do I prevent Wyatt from spitting? I can't exactly shove it back in his mouth and he has mastered so many types of spitting that I'm flummoxed.

His most often used method is the cart spit. It's used as a renegade move from shopping carts when he doesn't appreciate being strapped in and/or shopping. I find it disgusting, as I'm sure fellow shoppers do, too. Lately there's been more of the dinner's-not-over-yet? spitting, which always includes a mouthful of milk. Extra gross. And this morning it was a fine mist onto the windows by the front door because Isaac wasn't here yet. Truly, how do I handle this?

We are, of course, always telling him it's inappropriate and gross and not okay and we're so. stinking. consistent. with all this but to no avail. If anyone has great spit prevention techniques, I'm open to suggestions.

P.S. Family with whom we'll be spending time soon - this is fair warning.

9 comments:

Susan said...

Oh, goody! I LOVE to spit also, Wyatt! Mostly my brother taught me how but I'm working on some of my own moves too. My current fave way to do it is near a lamp or near a window where lots of light is coming in so I can see the fine mist spraying through the air. I like to laugh, try to grab it as if wearing 3-D glasses then, once the dust has settled, do it again. Can't wait to see you.

-Cousin T

Lisa said...

It sounds counterintuitive but have you tried doing nothing?? Things tend to loose their charm when you aren't getting 'rewarded' with attention (good or bad). We've been able to rid ourselves of a few undesirables this way.

Heather and Scott said...

I know this is so not funny to you...but it is so funny to read it! Maybe it's just your creative way of sharing it. Makes me laugh. Makes me also think about how Wyatt used to bite and you were trying everything to make him stop. How'd you get him to stop??

Anonymous said...

Spit back? Probably not the answer, but that was my first gut reaction! :o) As you can tell, I will not be getting any Mother of the Year awards any time soon!

Laurie R. said...

Well friend, I don't know what to tell you. Spit happens!
I love reading your entries. You are so entertaining!
Miss you all.

Team Kuehni said...

Hmmm. Not surprisingly, I don't have much advice for you...Except that ignoring sounds like it could be a good technique - that's what we do with Max. and hey, dog...boy...boy...dog. Is there a difference sometimes? I swear our furry friends are more human than we think - Max farts, eats, sleeps, and plays in the mud. What could be more manly? Let me know what works, though. I'm sure I'll need some advice on this someday:)

SStites said...

Hmmm, sounds to me like this situation might just "heal itself" the next time he and Thomas get together! They may cure each other of the nasty habit! Maybe a spray bottle like is sometimes used in training dogs not to bark? I don't know! He'd probably find the spray bottle fun! Just remember, this, too, will pass or be replaced by another probably even less desirable habit! Love you! A. Sharon

Jody & Joey said...

Consistency is good.... but takes a long time. William's 3 1/2 and he's still spitting. Oh, and lately he's been burping - REALLY LOUD and then laughing at himself. Sarah NEVER did either one. The burping thing I find especially disguisting. He does say excuse me... and then laughs.... but the burps that come out of him sound like he's a 250 lb man - the kids 3 1/2.....
ahhhhh BOYS!

Darling's said...

Brad had this problem when he was younger. He spit ALL the time and AT people. He also had three siblings to help nip it in the bud. I can not quite remember how old he was but he still remembers it...(not sure if it truly scarred him for life or just a fond memory...) His Mom put him in front of the fridge and let his siblings take turns spitting on him. It worked and he no longer spit at anyone =-) I am sure in today's public arena that might be considered child abuse in some sense. But hey! It worked right AND he turned out o.k!