Almost-3 yo spitting, how to stop

[Unmamsnettyhug]

DD is nearly 3 and finds it hilarious to spit—more of a dribbling, foamy, blowing of raspberries sort of spitting. It’s awful and she and DS (6) do it to each other, too. How do I stop this?

She was knackered tonight and kept doing it, I said if it happens again we won’t read before bed. She said she wouldn’t do it and not five minutes later, she did it. I held firm despite her being hysterical about not reading. We still had bedtime cuddles and I explained we don’t spit. Generally, she’s actually quite well behaved, tidies up after herself, washes hands, wipes up spills, etc.

You just taught your DD a very important lesson OP, and I think you did it very well by not denying cuddles, but denying the privilege of a bedtime story.
This sounds like a very common preschool behaviour, and it will fizzle out in time especially if telling her that it's not nice , not acceptable to bubble and blow saliva out of her mouth at others, while emphasizing to her how well-behaved she is normally, how she washes her hands, wipes up spills etc and that you're very proud of her for doing those things.

Consequences every time for both of them! Well done for sticking to your guns, stand firm.

Thank you both, it’s a bit of a shock I reckon as she’s generally so well behaved and we’ve never really had to discipline her before. I also felt a bit bad because I knew she was tired but I suppose we have to draw a line somewhere.

Maybe your DD picked up this charming little bubbly spit whilst playing with or seeing another child do it?
I'm sure it will run its course but I think you're a kind and observant mum who appreciates all the little things that your DD does at such a young age, and if you stress her positive behaviour and not place.too much importance on the negative, other than to say that it isn't a nice thing to do, then I think she will soon tire of doing it.