Yuck!

I've been having a problem with Ryleigh putting things in her mouth and even picking up crumbs in the car or floor and proceeding to eat it. When I ask her what she put in her mouth she answers with, "I don't know." What! If you don't know what it is then don't put it in your mouth!! My saying has been "If it isn't food it doesn't go in your mouth." 

Well, Tuesday she decided to pick something off the bottom of her shoe then put it in her mouth! That was it. I was tired of her putting things in her mouth so I told her the next time she did she would have to put a bar of soap in her mouth. To demonstrate I showed her the part of "A Christmas Story" where the mom puts soap in Ralphie's mouth for saying a bad word. Her eyes got real wide and I thought she had learned her lesson...

...but she didn't. A few minutes later I caught her chewing on her shoe! When I asked her why she was eating her shoe she said, "I'm hungry." So I just had her lick the soap to get the idea that she didn't want more than that in her mouth and it worked! Everyday since then she randomly lets me know throughout the day that she "hasn't put anything in her mouth so she doesn't have to eat the soap."

This has also helped stop her from sassing me. She got an attitude with me yesterday about something and once I threatened her with the soap she has been so good.

This hasn't been my favorite parenting moment but I'm glad she learned her lesson.