"Sassy Spray"

So for years, I've known family and friends who have used vinegar as a form of punishment if their kids talked back.  My cousin, Danielle, was probably the first person I knew who did it - and that's been over 10 years ago. 

I've neglected to use this form of punishment because I, myself, use vinegar in everything!  I LOVE IT!  I spend more money than I care to admit at the Oil & Vinegar store in The Woodlands.  So much that Harry frequently gets me gift cards there for special occassions. 

My point?  I didn't want to give my kids an aversion to vinegar.

More recently, my neighbor, Jill, has talked about using "sassy spray" - 100% distilled white vinegar - as a punishment for her girls.  When we are playing outside together, she always has the "sassy spray" with her, and a few weeks ago, I caved and used her "sassy spray" because Benjamin talked back to me several times!!!!


So now we have incorporated "sassy spray" into our form of punishment.  We've got spankings....time out.....no t.v.....going to your room......no playing outside......and now, "sassy spray."   

OK, so maybe "sassy spray" isn't the best thing to call it when you have two boys, but hey, that's what Jill calls it, and it stuck!  So....."sassy spray" it is.

Benjamin has been regularly getting "sassy spray" for 3-4 weeks now.  Mostly for saying, "NO!"  and "STOP IT!" - but for other things as well.  We don't use it as THE form of punishment, but if you are talking back, you are getting "sassy spray!" 

Benjamin doesn't like it, and while I haven't seen 100% improvement, it DOES seem to be helping him control his mouth a little better.  We have seen improvements, and we are happy.

While Timothy has his issues, talking back isn't the main one.  So...up until this week, Timothy had been threatened with "sassy spray" - but it hadn't been used.  But let me tell you, he was really SCARED of "sassy spray."

Tuesday night, Timothy looked right at his daddy, and said, "NO!"  So, he got "sassy spray" for the very first time.  He screamed and pitched a fit - he did not want the dreaded "sassy spray" that his brother has been getting and spitting for weeks!  It was a full on fight just to get the "sassy spray" in his mouth!

As soon as Harry sprayed it in his mouth, he smiled and said, "I LIKE IT!"  We hoped that he was just being a smarty pants and didn't address the issue.  This would be sooo like our little Timothy!

Wednesday afternoon, Timothy looked right at me and said, "NO!"  I said very sternly, "YOU ARE GOING TO GET SASSY SPRAY!"  There was no argument.  No screaming and crying.  Nothing.  Timothy simply sat on the couch and opened his mouth like a little bird!  I sprayed the "sassy spray" in his mouth, waiting for a negative reaction. 

Timothy immediately said, "I LIKE IT!  IT'S GOOD!"  As I walked back to the kitchen to put it back on the counter (feeling somewhat defeated), Timothy followed me with a spring in his step, and as I turned around he said, "MORE?  I LIKE IT!"  So....I gave him another squirt just to be sure!  Right on his tongue!!!!! 

He smiled and said, "It's good!"  That little toot asked for "sassy spray" - by name - two more times yesterday evening.  (He loves cucumbers in vinegar - so it all makes sense, I guess.)

So now, I am trying to think of a new "sassy spray" for Timothy - something safe/easy/bitter that will be more of a detourant.  If you have any suggestions, please send them my way. 

In the meantime, we'll save the "sassy spray" for Benjamin.