Recently, a woman turned to the AITA community to find out if she has crossed the line in disciplining her six-year-old nephew.
In a post that has been upvoted 19.7k times, the author wrote that while she loves him, “he is a monster.” She explained: “He throws tantrums when things don’t go his way. He screams if he loses playing a game” and he thinks that “any food is his.”
One day, the author’s sister and nephew came for a visit. The conflict ignited after the six-year-old started cadging for sugar-free cookies that his aunt keeps for her diabetic husband. But the boy didn’t take no for an answer and sooner than she knew it, the author saw no choice but to discipline him the way she disciplines her cat. Hint: a spray bottle.
A woman wonders if she was wrong to use a spray bottle to discipline her difficult nephew like she does with her cat
Image credits: Xia Yang (not the actual photo)
A spray bottle is a similar disciplinary method used for training young puppies and kittens. While using it to discipline a child may be a debatable tool that would surely bring opposing opinions, two Texas moms have come up with a similar idea for liquid discipline.
Called “Sassy Spray,” the invention came to light when one mom, Candice Romo, realized she needed “something personally that wasn’t as harsh as spanking but a little harsher than timeout.”
According to the moms, whipping out the spray helps keep their kids in line. The spray is a mix of apple, vinegar, and vegetables. But some parents were far from impressed with the idea. Some say although it’s meant like a modern-day “soap in the mouth” disciplinary tool, anything that would humiliate a child like that could be harmful and is not recommended.
Many people expressed their support for the author in this situation
Others, however, thought that everyone was to blame in this conflict
When I read these posts, I think of the disservice the parents are doing to the child. Kids adapt and behave as they know works to meet their needs and wants. The child is going to be disliked and spoiled if they don’t start changing those teachings. Spray bottles work great on all kinds of creatures. My dad used one on a friend of mine in high school when she talked through movies. Shut her right up.
When I read these posts, I think of the disservice the parents are doing to the child. Kids adapt and behave as they know works to meet their needs and wants. The child is going to be disliked and spoiled if they don’t start changing those teachings. Spray bottles work great on all kinds of creatures. My dad used one on a friend of mine in high school when she talked through movies. Shut her right up.
