Do you think this is cruel?

[Tonya]

My friend has 2 1/2 year old twins that are pretty bad. I've nicely mentioned before that maybe she should consider disciplining her kids. She said that nothing worked and she doesn't believe in spanking.

Well, I was talking to her today when one of her kids did something bad, so she stopped to discipline her. Her new method? Putting a jalapeno in her mouth. I heard the little girl crying and screaming because she'd put it in her mouth.

I told her that was a little wierd, and she said it's the only thing that works. She said that she thinks that spanking is much more abusive then that.

I don't know. Maybe it's just because I'm used to the good old fashioned spanking or timeout...but it seems like using jalapenos for discipline would be more traumatic.

What do you think?

[Denyce]

I feel that is abusive. The physical pain of a spanking with a bare hand only lasts for a short time. The pain from a hot jalapeno can last a very long time. If the pepper is too hot it can cause all sorts of other side effects including being unable to breath for a period of time. My gut feeling says this is just wrong.

Denyce

[Mandy1]

I think it is abusive. There are many people that are capable of bringing up their children with out phyiscal Abuse.

Denyce, I wouldn't say that spanking only hurts for a short time. It depends, however it will probaly leave bruises ect.

[Cincy'sMom]

I'm not sure that I think the jalapenos are cruel...I'm just not sure how effective method of punishment they are. But I guess we tried it as a method to stop the dogs from digging...too bad they liked it Maybe it is the new "washing the mouth out with soap?"

I don't think spanking is wrong. Physcial abuse, yes, but there is a huge difference between a swat on the butt and and a beating. I just don't think you can reason with a two year old and you need to get their attention, espically in cases where their actions could be dangerous...running into the street, touching a hot stove, etc.

[christa]

OMG!!! That is horrible! Definitely cruel & unusual punishment! That's torture! Not discipline!

I'm all for spanking . . . I was spanked as a child and I turned out perfectly normal.

[Tonya]

Originally posted by Cincy'sMom
I'm not sure that I think the jalapenos are cruel...I'm just not sure how effective method of punishment they are. But I guess we tried it as a method to stop the dogs from digging...too bad they liked it Maybe it is the new "washing the mouth out with soap?"

I don't think spanking is wrong. Physcial abuse, yes, but there is a huge difference between a swat on the butt and and a beating. I just don't think you can reason with a two year old and you need to get their attention, espically in cases where their actions could be dangerous...running into the street, touching a hot stove, etc.

Yeah, my son's prime time for spankings was when he was 2-3. His toys, tv, time, etc... was not valuable enough to use for punishment. The only thing that would get his attention was spankings. Now that he's older, it's devastating if I take his TV or computer away. (I think he thinks that is abuse in itself.) I can't remember the last time I spanked him

I think the jalapeno thing is disturbing but I forgot a part that my friend said..."That's because you're a gringo." Haha, yeah, I'm a white girl who's mouth catches fire with Taco Bell's mild sauce. So, I guess since they're Mexican, they're a little more used to the whole jalapeno concept. But it just seems horrible to me!

My mom washed my mouth out with soap when I used bad language and put hot sauce on my thumb when I sucked it. I never thought of it as cruel punishment. But it seems cruel to have jalapenos as the only form of punishment. I am still undecided I guess.

[caseysmom]

I have 2 kids that are night and day...one you just raise your voice a little and thats all it takes...the other needed spankings...and some brivery! It doesn't sound like it would be effective in the long run but I don't know.

[star of light]

well if it's the only thing that works then i say it's okay O_o i guess?

actually i would choose that instead of a beatting omg it hurts when daddy spanks!!!
i actually eat jalapenos plain they arent that bad!!

[NoahsMommy]

Its not only cruel, but this person is uneducated. Can she not ask a doctor, school counselor, teacher, the INTERNET for advice on how to teach a child obedience and respect?

Shoving a hot object into a childs mouth is abusive!

[Tonya]

Originally posted by NoahsMommy
Its not only cruel, but this person is uneducated. Can she not ask a doctor, school counselor, teacher, the INTERNET for advice on how to teach a child obedience and respect?

Shoving a hot object into a childs mouth is abusive!

]

That's what I'm thinking. I didn't really give her much of an opinion at the moment because I wanted to think about it. I didn't want to jump the gun. It amazes me how some people have such a hard time properly disciplining their children. I think I'm going to have a talk with her. Although I'm undecided, if it is disturbing me this much, it must not be right. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I got off the phone with her.

[caseysmom]

Tonya...maybe a parenting book would be a good christmas gift for her with a lovely letter in a loving tone telling her these suggestions may work better.

[Tonya]

Originally posted by caseysmom
Tonya...maybe a parenting book would be a good christmas gift for her with a lovely letter in a loving tone telling her these suggestions may work better.

OMG! Thank you! I bought two expensive books on disciplining strong willed children a few years ago. I got Jaden under control right about the time I'd bought them, so I didn't need them. I've never been able to let them go because I paid so much for them, yet I never read them. They're brand new still. That's her Christmas gift! Thank you!

[star of light]

Originally posted by star of light
well if it's the only thing that works then i say it's okay O_o i guess?

actually i would choose that instead of a beatting omg it hurts when daddy spanks!!!
i actually eat jalapenos plain they arent that bad!!

well like i said it's not that bad!!
Hey if it's the only thing that works, then they will learn to be good.
i have learned to be a good girl because i dreed whipens

[Samantha Puppy]

Did anyone ever think that maybe this is her culture's version of our mothers rinsing our mouths out with soap? For God's sake, kids my mom went to school with had their mouths rinsed out with COMET! Back then, I'm sure they didn't realize that it could poison their children but it was enough of a deterrent that the kid stopped whatever bad behavior had been going on.

I personally wouldn't use a jalapeno on my own child but if this is the *only* way the mother can get her to settle down and behave, who are we to judge?

Oh and just for the record, I will be spanking my kids when they do something that requires discipline. There is a big difference between spanking and abuse. I was spanked and I turned out to have a good head on my shoulders and stayed out of trouble. Worked for me, it'll work for them.

[moosmom]

I had other methods when I raised my daughter (she's 28 now). It consisted of making her stand in as corner with her nose touching the wall. Everytime her nose lost contact with the wall, I added another minute. I also made her write 100 times "I will not (whatever she did for that particular punishment) ever again. Believe me, it worked.

As far as the jalapeno pepper, I say whatever works. These days even slapping a kid on the hand could wind up with accusations of child abuse.

Now child abuse when I was growing up was never even heard of. It was called disciplining. THAT was abuse. Beatings with belts, having a slice of Ivory soap shoved up your butt. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.