Do your kids use bad language?

@tomysole (457)
United States
January 26, 2008 3:22am CST
I'm worried that my boys will start using the F-bomb and am wondering the best way to teach them not to swear.
3 people like this
7 responses
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
26 Jan 08
In all honesty your best bet IMO is to talk to them about it..I drink, smoke, drink coffee, swear like a trucker and so on...BUT my kids were raised to know that just because I DO IT doesnt mean they can..I'M AN ADULT they ARE NOT...and thats what I've always told them...HOWEVER they are older now and like my brother with his daughter, I've told them that the occasional cuss word is ok since I know that they most likely would do it behind my back around their friends anyway...Taking that approach, for me, has been best because its NOT so taboo so being sneaky isnt necessary which lets face it, being sneaky behind mum and dads back is exciting and fun.... My son has dropped the f-bomb a couple times lately by mistake in front of me and he gets "the look" (though he's on the ball and apologizing right away) and once a slap in the mouth ;-) BUT he's going on 15 and to think that he's not saying it when I'm NOT around is just foolish...ALSO both my kids know that swearing in front of me is one thing but they are NEVER to do it at other times or in front of other ppl out of respect for those ppl and situations... Now this is how it works for us.....BUT I'm not saying you should take that approach at all...Like I said, your best bet is to TALK TO THEM firmly and let them no that its NOT negotible...These are your rules and they WILL abide by them or be punished... Oh and the whole soap and hot sauce thing in the mouth...that may work for some ppl but I personally have a SERIOUS hate on for that sort of thing. I think its cruel, over the top and totally uncalled for...
1 person likes this
@tomysole (457)
• United States
26 Jan 08
You sound a lot like me man!
@madasp (563)
• United States
26 Jan 08
LMAO ravenlady! I always love your answers.
@cherriemae (3370)
• Philippines
26 Jan 08
yah, i'm worried too coz sometimes my daughter really says bad language that she heared from me when i'm angry and she's saying it over and over but i'm stopping her and saying that it's bad, and also i learned from my self that i need not to say bad words infront of her because little chilren has this ability to say what they heared from adults and thinking that it's not bad..
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jan 08
tried and true method...washing their mouth out with soap! they will learn right quick that saying a bad word is a no no...or you could use a teaspoon of tabasco sauce..never had that done to me at least, but ive had the soap when i was a kid...it works believe me lol!
• United States
27 Jan 08
true, it certainly isnt something you'd do the very first time a kid says a bad word of course..i was thinking more along the lines of kids who dont respond to the "talking to" and even those that dont respond to being spanked for it. however that being said..im surprised that my suggestion of soap or some hot sauce (temporary "punishments" both) got a couple of responses saying its barbaric and not good parenting. but the person down the line who suggests telling a kid that "GOD IS GONNA TAKE MUMMY AND PAPA AWAY" for saying a bad word is a perfectly acceptable idea?! how would saying something like that affect a kid? fear of god, fear of accidentally saying a bad word and then POOF mom and dad are ripped away..or heaven forbid the kid says "damn" one day and then a parent is in an accident the next day!! how tramatic would that be?!
• India
26 Jan 08
Ancient Indian Method (works but discarded now in favor of theories that say children shouldn't be traumatized): A caning session with a really stout stick. Modern method (hardly works but strongly recommended): Sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk with them. Make them understand why the F-word should not be used. Champion method: The one set down by the Mylotter who commented before me. Religious method: Leave it to God. Pray with your boys. The 'three monkeys method': Based on the three mythical monkeys; which teachers and parents end up doing finally. Do not see your kids when they do wrong. Do not speak out. Do not hear their swear words. Wish you happy parenting! Cheers!
@ericajoyce (1746)
• Philippines
27 Jan 08
Hello tomysole. My kid brother says bad words. I dont even know where he gets them. I think its probably from he's playmates and from the shows that he watches. I think the best way to teach kids is that they should know that what they are saying is a bad word and that they shouldn't say it again.
@bhappy2 (327)
• Australia
27 Jan 08
I dislike swearing but it seems to be what everyone says now. The kids hear it on the street, on TV, in the playground at their friends houses and even in the classrooms and to them it is just another word, which I suppose it really is. My oldest grandson never swears in front of me as I have always told him I don't like it and don't want to hear it. His brother doesn't swear in front of me often but he does slip up occasionally. I have always believed that swearing stems from ignorance and a lack of a decent vocabulary but it has become the norm and like it or lump it I think it will be with us for a long time unfortunately.
• India
26 Jan 08
Hi tomysole, In my opinion young kids learn things from their elders and classmates.If you take care on these two things you can check your children. Good Luck.