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Original poster

When did you stop (if you ever started!) kissing your child on the lips?

189 replies

FlickerBlackRed · 16/12/2025 22:45

Just a musing - I dont think there are any right or wrong answers, but I went in to say goodnight to my DD17 tonight, went to give her a little peck on the lips, as we always have done, and she sort of offered her cheek instead, which she's never done.

It's fine, and I'll absolutely take my cue from her but I just wondered if it's weird that we've done it for this long and she's now feeling awkward? I mean, it never felt weird, but it just made me a little sad tonight.

Saying that, I haven't kissed my parents on the lips for a few decades, so I guess it may naturally taper off as kids grow up. But oh, my heart!

OP posts:
Amiunemployable · 16/12/2025 23:37

I'm 30, and my DM still tries to kiss me on the lips. I swerve it to the cheek. It makes me uncomfortable.

My DS (7) sometimes gives me kisses on the lips. I don't mind it, but I prefer to kiss him on the forehead/cheeks.

I guess generally, I'm just not a fan of lip kissing, but I don't think there's anything wrong with it either. It's just not something I'm keen on.

But all the while DS wants to give me lip kisses, I'll let him.

Mooninjune · 16/12/2025 23:41

sharkstale · 16/12/2025 23:30

I just think it's weird feeling uncomfortable kissing your own baby on the lips.

Show quote history

It's not something I'd experienced myself growing up or seen other people do with their children.
He wanted to kiss lips because thats what he saw mummy and daddy do.
But I discouraged it when he was still young because it didn't feel right.

He got loads and loads of kisses on his cheeks , and the top of his head. And I encouraged him to kiss my cheek instead of lips.

Applecup · 16/12/2025 23:45

It’s just weird and gross on so many levels.

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Families
Tillow4ever · 16/12/2025 23:45

My youngest is 14 in 2 weeks, he still gives me a kiss on the lips, although it’s less frequent these days. My 17 & 20 year olds sons don’t really do kisses at all now - can’t remember how old they were when they stopped but I think it was younger.

I go by what they want/need/are comfortable with. I never ever considered anyone would have an issue with a parent kissing their child on the lips or vice versa (except if they have a cold sore) so I’m finding it a bit bizarre all these posters saying ewww etc! The only people sexualising this are YOU. I find it disturbing that you would look at a child kissing their parent on the lips and immediately jump to it being wrong because it’s for sexual partners only… it’s a peck on the lips, it’s not ramming a tongue down someone’s throat!

AorticValve · 16/12/2025 23:48

Older son, never have done. Younger one used to kiss me on the lips, so I went along with it until he stopped, around 7 or 8.

DH's 80 year old dad kisses him on the lips. It's their normal.

reversegear · 16/12/2025 23:52

Nope, never kissed my DS on the lips, maybe head, cheeks etc. To be fair I’m more like to be found kissing my dogs noses!! Everyone is different but at 17 I find that odd.

Ketzele · 16/12/2025 23:57

I never did, not sure why as I dont see anything wrong with it.

SoloMumJustMuddlingThrough · 17/12/2025 01:14

I will kiss my DD on her cheeks, head etc. Her favourite is to grab both my cheeks and land a wet sloppy open mouth kiss on my lips. I plan to follow her cue but will certainly miss those toddler kisses. There is nothing wrong with lip kisses, in fact I find it weird that people have a problem with it

suburberphobe · 17/12/2025 01:17

Kissing on the lips is for romantic partners, not for our children.

I would find it creepy if my parents did that. Crossing a boundary.

SoloMumJustMuddlingThrough · 17/12/2025 01:27

suburberphobe · 17/12/2025 01:17

Kissing on the lips is for romantic partners, not for our children.

I would find it creepy if my parents did that. Crossing a boundary.

Says who? There is nothing romantic about it? It's not tongues!

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 17/12/2025 01:28

Daughter is 8 and has never liked kisses, she doesn’t like kisses on the face at all and definitely not on the mouth. We have long cuddles though and she will rub noses with me before bed instead of kissing.

MerryChristmasFilthyAnimals · 17/12/2025 01:29

Pollqueen · 16/12/2025 23:34

English people are very strange

Not just English.

I asked my Asian partner if he kissed his parents on the lips and he looked horrified.

Kissing on the cheeks is normal in his culture and he greets male family members like that as well but not on the lips.

My mum used to kiss me on the lips occasionally as a child but I remember asking her not to when I was very young.
I guess every family is different and as long as it’s not making anyone uncomfortable there is nothing wrong with it.

It’s like family nudity, my sister and best friend are happy to be naked in front of their kids and my brother in law is too.
My parents were the same and I hated it, I noticed my niece felt the same but my sister brushed it off because she was never bothered.
I raised it again and she has listened when I said how much I disliked it and convinced her it’s not fair to make your kids feel awkward and uncomfortable.

My best friend chases her kids round naked to hug them and they used to find it funny but I can see they are starting to get annoyed now.
I think people need to listen to kids and respect them and OP obviously does so as long as her daughter has been happy until this point to show affection like that then there is no issue as she isn’t pushing to continue.

FluffyBox · 17/12/2025 01:38

My elderly auntie used to be a lip kisser and none of us were keen at all. No adults wanted to be kissed on the lips and as kids we didn’t like it either. She was lovely and just being affectionate, but there no need when a kiss on the cheek is equally as affectionate, but without feeling it’s ott and invading their personal space.

I kiss my teenage DD on the head as that’s the only place I’m allowed to 😂 her younger DB loves a cuddle and I kiss him on the cheek but I wouldn’t think to kiss them on the lips at this age.

Wonderlandpeony · 17/12/2025 01:46

I would never kiss a child on their lips, it's just not necessary or nice.

Leftsidefacing · 17/12/2025 01:49

We’ve never kissed our kids on the lips. Forehead, cheek, top of head, yes. My son went through a phase of wanting to kiss me on the lips when he was about two and I gently discouraged him. I just wasn’t comfortable with it.

We too are a normal, tactile family who love each other, before anyone starts.

FluffyBox · 17/12/2025 01:53

Also I remember lip kissing auntie used to have wet lips sometimes and give us all the boak afterwards and we’d wipe it off 🤢 It’s a no from me!!

usedtobeaylis · 17/12/2025 01:53

When she was very young although she very occasionally still kisses me on the lips when she's feeling extra lovey. She's 10.

I do wish people would stop projecting their weirdness on to everyone else.

TheMotherSide · 17/12/2025 02:11

Never lip-kissed my DC. Culturally, it would be a massive no-no where I was raised (Scandinavian country). Just thinking about it makes me recoil. I think it is something about the possibility of mucous membranes touching which feels off. I can't imagine my (very warm, affectionate and hands-on) parents ever moving in to lip-kiss me as a child.

Bournetilly · 17/12/2025 02:14

I kiss my 6 year old on the cheek now (occasionally on the lips), I kiss my 2 year old on the lips, so somewhere in between.

SleepingStandingUp · 17/12/2025 02:19

ACatNamedRobin · 16/12/2025 22:53

Yes I'm afraid I agree with that. Just why!

Show quote history

because not everyone associates a peck on the lips as a sexual act.

AutumnClouds · 17/12/2025 02:23

My one year old smashes his open mouth randomly at my face so kisses land where they land. But I aim to kiss him on the cheek and forehead and feel like that’s a respectful boundary for him as he gets bigger. Kissing children, and especially tweens and older, on the lips seems quite invasive and intrusive to me and like something they may not be comfortable with but without knowing how to say so.

Iocanepowder · 17/12/2025 03:25

Never occurred to me to kiss my kids on the lips.

RawBloomers · 17/12/2025 04:23

I never really kissed them on the lips much. Maybe occasionally when they were babies, but not since they could stand, and even when I did, it wasn't the main place I kissed the,. Not sure why. I remember family kissing on the lips when I was a child, but it never seemed like the way to do it when my own kids came along.

firstofallimadelight · 17/12/2025 04:27

not Often since they were babies and probs stopped around 7/8

MyTrivia · 17/12/2025 04:30

Ladamesansmerci · 16/12/2025 22:52

I imagine that for most people it will stop in the teen years.

It's not something I'd probably do naturally, but I have no choice when my 18month old plants one on me 😂😭 She comes at me with an open mouth and 'kisses' me on the lips, but it feels more like being licked by a dog.

I love this comment 🤣🤣