my neighbor uses a spray bottle on her OBNOXIOUS three year old.  (I personally think she needs to up the ante because it's not working,  hence the rocks he was throwing at our windows yesteday.)  anyway, i found the spray bottle, along with the rocks, being thrown over our fence.  i guess that's what he thinks of the spray bottle. 

but, i'll tell you, you got to do what works.  my father once told me that my grandmother said you take an itsy bitty pin and poke the misbehaving child once.  not breaking the skin, but just a little brick like a thorn prick.  then you put the pin on your shirt, and whenever they misbehave, you point to the pin and the behavior stops for fear of being pricked again.  he said it used to work wonders on me and my sister.  i told him i would NEVER resort to that "abuse."  But, then my son turned four.  i was willing to try anything!!  oh, he laughed when i pricked him.  BOYS!

Good comments, Kevin!  (As usual!)  Thanks for your input.  

Anyone else?!
 

I would say that it is wrong if they also have cats and use the same spray-bottle method on the kids as they do with the cats.  Then it would be demeaning.  I guess we can apply that measuring stick to whatever we do to try and keep the kids in line.  If what we do humiliates or degrades them, then it is wrong, whether it works on the behavior issue or not.

If, in their house, a squirt from a spray bottle has the same affect as a raised voice or slap on the hand, and the children take it as such without feeling belittled, then its OK.  I would also guess that it would not work that way in most houses, mine included.

LOL!

So, Kevin, it doesn't seem wrong?

my kids would either open their mouths or ask for more, or ask if they can put their swimsuits on.  What works for some, might not work for others, but if it DOES work for some, more power to 'em.  Just as long as they don't also start making them use a litter box and put cute little collars with bells on them, it should be ok.