friendship

When do you stop kissing your children on the lips?

Celebrity mum Jessica Alba was criticised for kissing her daughter Honor on the lips. Lauren P confesses to being a kid-lip-kisser and can’t help but wonder, what is the big deal?

 
So Jessica Alba has gone out and defended kissing her children on the lips. What the? For most parents, it’s one of the most natural things. It’s a non issue.

Appearing on the cover of the April 2014 issue of Redbook, JAlba answered a bunch of questions for the feature. According to Perez Hilton.com:

The profile enlightened the world on Jessica’s life with her husband Cash Warren and their daughters Honor and Haven. But one thing that Jessica seemed taken aback by was when she realized not ALL parents kiss their kids on their lips! Jessica had no clue why that was, and went on to defend her parenting skills. She said: “Really? Why?! It’s your baby. People allow dogs to lick at their mouths.”

I agree! What could possibly be wrong with showing some affection to your little ones.

Though I’m not sure what prompted JAlba to discuss kissing one’s children. Is it really such a big deal?

Jessica Alba with her daughter Honor

I can remember sitting around with colleagues at a work meeting a few years ago, discussing this sometimes touchy subject as we viewed photos of celebs kissing their kids (for a pic spread in an upcoming edition of the magazine).

A male colleague, who had no kids at that stage, expressed his disgust at mums and dads kissing their offspring on the lips. Not yet a parent myself at that stage, but pretty sure of my maternal instinct, I defended the act.

And now, years later, with four children of my own, I can proudly say, yes I'm one of those mums who can't help but smother my bubs (big and small) with kisses. Who can resist those chubby cheeks, milk-drunk smiles and chubba bubba thighs?!

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My male colleague now has kids of his own, I hear, so I'd be interested to know if his opinion has changed, and whether he has been able to resist smooching his babies. I know my husband and I aren't shy when it comes to showing our kids how much they are loved.

Most people I know kiss their kids on the lips when, for example, saying goodnight, goodbye or I love you. People do it all the time. Every day.

Most mums do it, but when should we stop?

There's no harm in a peck on the lips, surely (though those sloppy kisses that come with a free side of slobber and snot can sometimes be not so pleasant. But when it's a well meaning two-year-old delivering it as he proudly tells you he "wuvs you", how can your heart NOT melt!?)

Surely pecking your kids on the lips is not such a big deal? Are those who have an issue with it possibly affected by other issues for it to be considered in a negative light?

Do you kiss your kids on the lips? If not, why not? When is the appropriate age to stop?

Images provided.

Read more of Lauren P's parenting adventures at goldcoastmum.com.au.

Click through these adorable photos of mums and children kissing. Some go straight for the lips and some land close enough. Cute!