Sour Patch Kids

Thanks for all the encouraging words and tips on how to deal with our sassy situation over here. Its continued to be a bit of a challenging week but as with all of this child rearing stuff, I do well to remember "this too shall pass." Can I get an amen? Like when you think your kid will NEVER sleep through the night. Or feed them self. Or learn to use the potty. I could go on and on. The problem is, I tend to *over react*. Ackhem. (who? me?)

One friend had a great tip we implemented on Wednesday. Instead of soap (which never sat right with me... and then I saw this report on the evening news that night about toxins in soap, oops) or instead of hot sauce (another interesting suggestion, but hey lets face it, Steve and I are slightly obsessed with spicy food... like the numb your lips, eyes watering snot flying kind of spicy... and I didn't want to ruin any chance of passing that down to my kids) vinegar was suggested.

Shannon told me they use it for any "sins of the mouth." Love it! So lying, talking back, meanness etc all get vinegar. I just use a medicine dropper and squeeze enough (maybe an 1/8 of a tablespoon) so they have to swallow it. I sat them down (yep, all three. It was rather comical) and explained the new rule. They get one warning and then upon a second offense (umm, no, i didn't use those words with them) they get vinegar. I explained that those sins don't taste good to God and that the consequence won't taste good to them. Then I had everyone dip their finger in the vinegar so they could taste it. Turner shuddered and said, "Its no yummy, mommy." Olivia refused and declared that she would rather get soap and Quinn was neutral.

Well it took Turner exactly one hour before he got his first dose. His whole little body actually shuddered and his eyes watered from the sour. Point taken. (Today he's gone vinegar free.) Olivia has made it without an offense. Quinn had his first dose yesterday. He took it like a man. Then... he smiled and declared, "Mmmm... I like vinegar." And he DOES! Since then he's followed me around telling me no and stop it and then smiles and says, "Now I get vinegar?" Figures. Its probably those Chinese taste buds.

Today I was feeling pretty confidant in making strides in the sassy thing. That is the cardinal sin of parenting, right?! 'Cuz it always bites you in the buns. Now instead of "stop it" and "knock it off", they have decided to take it upon themselves to declare when the other person gets vinegar. On the way home from the Y today the boys were in the back seat. Quinn was yelling, but more of a playful singing kind of yell (Annoying? Yes. Punishment worthy? No.) Turner didn't appreciate it. Finally, Turner declared, "Mama. Quinny get vinegar in mouth!" Ummm... sorry little man. You don't get to make that call. About five times since then they've gone back and forth on who gets vinegar when.

So, that's where we stand. Its sad enough that I drive a mini van in the first place, but I now drive around in a van with a bottle of vinegar and a medicine dropper in the cup holder. AND I live with a second bottle and a second dropper on the kitchen counter in plain view. If you happen to stop by or go for a ride with us and you notice a souring smell; no we're not making sauerkraut! It's just the smell of discipline.