Sick 3 year old “spat” on new sibling on purpose

[Anonymous]

3 yo has a cough and cold and we have been telling her not to go near to their new sibling so avoid spreading the virus.

Today, 3 yo wanted attention while I was feeding the baby, and went up to baby and “sprayed” him with some spit. Not actually spitting but spraying him with her saliva on purpose.

What is an appropriate consequence for this? 3 yo seemed to know exactly what she was doing.

[Anonymous]

Place the spitter up for adoption.

[Anonymous]

What consequences does she respond well to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What consequences does she respond well to?

*by well, I mean are effective at changing behavior

[Anonymous]

You are going to create resentment. Just let it go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3 yo has a cough and cold and we have been telling her not to go near to their new sibling so avoid spreading the virus.

Today, 3 yo wanted attention while I was feeding the baby, and went up to baby and “sprayed” him with some spit. Not actually spitting but spraying him with her saliva on purpose.

What is an appropriate consequence for this? 3 yo seemed to know exactly what she was doing.

She knew she was disobeying you, yes. She does not understand viral transmission or germ theory.

Preschoolers want your attention, and bringing home a new baby is always challenging. Add in that your daughter is under the weather and likely needier for that: you need to take a step back from thinking of her as the "big sister who should know better" and remember she's also your baby who doesn't feel good. An appropriate consequence is a three minute time out for disobeying you, and then some dedicated cuddling so she feels loved.

[Anonymous]

The consequence should’ve been immediate— no more playing whatever she was playing at that time, no favorite book/toy for the rest of the day.

I’d let it go now. She’s 3 and wants attention— it’s not malice.

[Anonymous]

‘Her consequence’ is you need to find a way to spend more one on one time with her. She doesn’t understand anything except she’s lost her mommy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The consequence should’ve been immediate— no more playing whatever she was playing at that time, no favorite book/toy for the rest of the day.

I’d let it go now. She’s 3 and wants attention— it’s not malice.

Maybe, but we really do not know. Hopefully, the 3 year old child will not repeat this type of behavior. If repeated, then a cild therapist should be consulted if you--the parent--feel unable to stop this type of behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The consequence should’ve been immediate— no more playing whatever she was playing at that time, no favorite book/toy for the rest of the day.

I’d let it go now. She’s 3 and wants attention— it’s not malice.

Maybe, but we really do not know. Hopefully, the 3 year old child will not repeat this type of behavior. If repeated, then a cild therapist should be consulted if you--the parent--feel unable to stop this type of behavior.

[Anonymous]

OMG OP please get help for yourself.

It is clear you suck at parenting pitting one kid off the other.

Shame on you. Get help.

[Anonymous]

I would have done an immediate 3 min time out.

[Anonymous]

They are jealous. It’s normal. Spend some extra time with them. It gets better. My kid bit his new sibling, even though they said they loved them.

[Anonymous]

ugh, oldest siblings suck

[Anonymous]

Agree that you need to stop treating a 3 year old like an adult, and spend some one on one time with a sick kiddo who needs his parents.