Ladies I just don't know what to do with my 18 month old son! He has started spitting and I can't make him stop. I've popped his booty (spanked), put him in time out, taken away whatever he has in his hands. Nothing seems to work with this strong willed boy. The worst is when I'm driving and he spits on the window and toward the front seat. He likes to spit on the wall when we put him in his crib and rub his hand in it. I know it's fun and interesting to him but how do I break him of it? My first son never did this. I'd love any advice except if it's mean...ha!
I just said "we don't spit" in a very calm voice (probably about 800 times) and eventually my boys quit because they weren't getting any reaction out of me.
My oldest child did this when she was about 20 months. It's gross; but it is only a phase. I learned the more I fussed at her the more she did it. You can have kleenex or something on hand and give it to your son so he can clean up his spit. He may enjoy spitting; but I'm sure he won't enjoy it near as much if HE has to clean it up. Just remember to stat patient and do NOT let him see that you're upset or frustrated with him. Just casually look over at him and say "I'm glad you had fun; but now it's time to clean up" and hand him something to clean up with. This should end after about a week maybe two if he's super strong willed.
My grandson is the same age and he does that sometimes. We tell him that it's yucky to spit and get him to do something else "fun" with his mouth like la,la,la really fast. I don't really know how to spell what we do. It's where you make noise while you are wiggling your tongue against your lips. Also we have him say oooohhh while flipping his lips with his finger, or aaahhhh and pat his had over his mouth. He seems to enjoy those things and they are not gross. Sometimes he gets a little loud with these though. Hopefully these are some good alternatives that he can enjoy and you can tolerate. Good luck to you!!!
My son went through a spitting phase around 2. In the scheme of things it did not last very long. I took him in the bathroom every time he started to spit and would tell him to spit in the sink. He became tired of spitting in the sink and eventually stopped. I would tell him he can only spit outside or in the sink and tried to remain calm and matter of fact about it. Now that I think about it, I was trying to teach him to spit out toothpaste around the same time. I guess I brought it on myself! LOL.
Good Luck. With the car, I guess give him a kleenex and have him clean up the mess? I'm not sure what to tell you on that one.
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I always consistently spanked and they would eventually give it up. Try a drop of tobasco sauce on the tongue each time, or something of the sort. Find something that he doesn't like.
no real tips on getting him to stop. our one yr old just started this well drooling alot and spitting all down his shirt and on us! you could move his crib a foot away from the walls or out of his reach. good luck
A friend of mine had a child who had problems with impulse control so it was really hard for her not to spit. She tried everything including tobasco sauce. She doesn't recommend that because one time her daughter tried to rub her tongue then got it in her eye. She finally figured out ginger. Dry powdered ginger isn't harmful but just tastes nasty when not in combination with something. She said that it dramatically cut down on the spitting, although still took some time. If those other ideas like spitting into the sink don't work.
Good luck,
T.
Ah Ha! Both my kids did this. I also had previous experience while working in child care.
The SPITTING TIME OUT!!! Take your child to the bathroom sink (you'll need a stool so they can reach). Then. MAKE them spit away. Just the same as a regular time out, about one minute for every year old. ie, one minute time out for those under 2, etc. You will need to stay in there with them and continue to encourage them to "constantly" spit into the sink. While they are doing this, tell them "we only spit in the bathroom sink and nowhere else" "we spit when we brush our teeth". You use a nice, gentle voice and kindly remind them, and make them keep spitting. After a few of these "spitting time outs" they will be so sick of spitting, they just stop doing it. It works wonders.
Good luck.
Anytime my son did an offense with his mouth I would flick him on this cheek right next to his mouth so he would know that the thing he just did with his mouth is not allowed. I don't know what else to tell you...just keep trying something till it works. I'm sure it is just aphase though and he will outgrow it.
