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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find this slightly disturbing?

179 replies

PrettyCandles · 18/04/2007 18:37

When talking about foods to a group of Year 1 children, I mentioned horseradish and one of the children said "I know what horseradish is! My mum gives it me when I'm naughty."

OP posts:
TenaLady · 20/04/2007 14:36

Malt vinegar

hana · 20/04/2007 14:40

you know, I had my mouth washed out with soap as a child , and sometimes with tabasco sauce - completely degrading tenalady, there are other ways to discipline
how awful for your child

JodieG1 · 20/04/2007 14:45

Scummymummy I agree, it's very calculating that's what makes it worse. It's not like something said or done in the heat of the moment or in a reaction but to go and get horseradish and then use it as a punishment is [shsock].

Don't agree with anyone doing that to a child for any reason, including vinegar, it's just a form of child cruelty imvho.

Twiglett · 20/04/2007 14:45

ask yourself

  1. how would you feel if you were the child
  2. what will happen if you do nothing
  3. what would you wnat to happen if it was your child

then consider whether you'd mention to someone

JodieG1 · 20/04/2007 14:46

should have been no glasses on again

TenaLady · 20/04/2007 14:46

believe me, its the last resort. Maybe I should give him a badge!

Washersaurus · 20/04/2007 14:46

My mum used mustard or soap on the tongue for swearing. I saw her pin my older brother down on the floor to give him some once - have to confess it did put me off swearing.

3andnomore · 20/04/2007 14:46

God...what are you going to make of me then...at one point ms spitting just got to me so muhc, I had told him over and over, etc...and when he did it again, I threatened him with Tabasco sauce (he had tasted it before and didn't like it) and he did it again, so, I had to follow suit...and did it...I did feel awful, and wouldn't use it again, however, shockingly it pretty much worked......no more spitting generally, and if he ever does, then I jsut have to tell him off and he doesn't repeat it...

Washersaurus · 20/04/2007 14:47

Must add...I wouldn't do it to my kids though

singingmum · 20/04/2007 14:48

My DD might like that.She loved horseradish flavoured jelly beans from the harry potter ones

Washersaurus · 20/04/2007 14:48

My mum used to give my brothers and their friends a bowl of soapy water to clean up if she caught them spitting. she would stand over them and make sure they cleaned it up properly.

TenaLady · 20/04/2007 14:49

I am speechless and pmsofl

How do you mums deal with your children when they misbehave. Im curious

Rachmumoftwo · 20/04/2007 14:50

Be careful because of confidentiality. Are you a teacher or TA, or just helping out? If you are a teacher or TA, there are channels to go through, which should be in the form of a policy- what to do in the case of a disclosure or similar. If you are helping out, mention it to the teacher and then it is up to them. You will probably never hear about any outcome, but that is how it normally works.

3andnomore · 20/04/2007 14:53

Washersaurus, son in question is only 4...so, not sure the cleaning up would work...he isn't in the disgusting habit of spitting on the ground for the fun of it...he was in that phase that he felt spitting at people (not phlegmy, thank god) at others...mainly his big bro....so, the cleaning up wouldn't ahve worked really!
I just got fed up with him at the time...like I said, am not proud of it. Felt really sorry for him!

hana · 20/04/2007 14:53

oh tenalady, where to start? do you not have sanctions? counting to 3, sitting on a step, going to your room, losing tv/computer/dvd time? taking favourite toys away?

TenaLady · 20/04/2007 14:54

Yep, tried all and with the exception of counting 3 nothing else works.

hana · 20/04/2007 14:56

how old is your child?

singingmum · 20/04/2007 14:57

Cannot believe how worked up some of these posts are.It is OTT to say this is child abuse or even to imply that it could be more serious than a mum trying to teach a child some lesson or other.
If you take it upon yourself to speak with the child you yourself could get in trouble and then it will cause you a lot of trouble.
Horseradish cannot cause any harm to a child unless they are allergic to it which this child obv is not.

TenaLady · 20/04/2007 14:57

I have a library of books on how to bring up your child and have tried all approaches.

He is a bright fella and knows the game ahead. I find it has to be instant, like the 123.

To be fair he rarely swears and only does so if he has heard me cuss as Ive walked into the room. He has only had the treatment once and I have to say it has worked cos when he does it again I just say, right where is the vinegar. He miraculously vanishes without a peep.

TenaLady · 20/04/2007 14:58

mine is just 5

Washersaurus · 20/04/2007 14:58

Sorry 3andnomore it was a x-post - didn't mean to sound like I disapproved of your approach...was just remembering how my terrifying mother used to deal with my naughty brothers

UnquietDad · 20/04/2007 14:58

In bookshop yesterday - among sf books - fat woman to exuberant little girl of about 2 who, as far as I could see, was doing nothing worse than touching some books:

"Do yer want me ter CHOP yer fingers off?!"

TenaLady · 20/04/2007 15:00

I know singingmum, we have to stop at smacking them (never have done actually)but you need a fast and effective harmless way to put a child off a certain behaviour then needs must.

I dont advocate pinning a child down to give the punishment, the fact he is wriggling to escape is good enough for me.

FioFio · 20/04/2007 15:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

TenaLady · 20/04/2007 15:00

chop yer fingers off, right school run beckons>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.