As a parent, you want your child to feel loved and appreciated. Expressing affection through kisses is a common way to show your love, and many parents even kiss their children on the lips. It’s not a new trend, and you may have grown up with your own parents doing the same. In some cultures, kissing on the lips is seen as a general way of showing love. However, kissing your child on the lips may not be the best way to convey parental love. In fact, there are several reasons why you might want to reconsider this practice.
It Can Shift Your Child’s Understanding of Personal Boundaries
Teaching your child about personal boundaries is important, and the earlier you start, the better. Your child’s lips and mouth are personal boundaries of their body, and they need to learn about respecting their own boundaries as well as those of others, including you. Kissing your child on the lips may send the message that their body borders are open and that someone can intrude into their territory without it being a problem.
Respecting your child’s boundaries also means avoiding other invasive behaviors such as tight swaddling, aggressive tickling, or force-feeding. By showing respect for your child’s boundaries, you can help them learn how to say “no” and manage their personal space. It’s also important to consider that your child may not want to be kissed on the lips, and it’s essential to respect their preferences.
It’s Unsanitary
You may think that it’s safe to kiss your kids on the lips because you brush your teeth regularly and practice good oral hygiene. However, doctors, especially dentists, warn that there are numerous microbes in our mouths that may not harm adults but can be transmitted to children and cause harm (1). Additionally, children have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections that can be transmitted through saliva.
Moreover, kissing your children while wearing cosmetic products on your lips can also be harmful to their skin. Many children have sensitive skin or may be allergic to certain ingredients in cosmetics. Therefore, it’s important to keep your lips away from their mouth when wearing such products.
Your Child May Start Kissing Others on the Lips as a Sign of Sympathy
Children learn by observing and imitating their parents’ behavior. This means that if you kiss your child on the lips, they may start mimicking the same behavior with other people, including close family friends, peers, friends, and acquaintances. However, your child may not yet understand the difference between behaviors that are acceptable within the family circle and those that need to be modified for people outside of the family.
This can result in your child kissing others on the lips as a way to express sympathy or affection, even if it may not be appropriate or welcomed by others. This can make your child vulnerable to being taken advantage of by others who may take advantage of their innocent gestures. For example, if your child’s nanny or caregiver leans in to kiss them on the mouth, knowing that your child reciprocates the gesture because they learned it from you, it can put your child in a vulnerable position. Therefore, it’s recommended to kiss your child on the forehead or cheeks instead, as your child does not need to be kissed on the mouth to feel loved.
In conclusion, while kissing your child on the lips may seem harmless and cute, it can have negative implications that you may not have considered. Teaching your child about personal boundaries, maintaining good hygiene practices, and being mindful of the behaviors you model for your child are important aspects of parenting. It’s essential to consider the potential consequences of kissing your child on the lips and make an informed decision based on your unique family
