Uh-oh -- my DD is using the f-bomb, help!

[Anonymous]

Okay, I'm guilty of using this phrase mostly in the car. DD, just over 2, has decided to use this phrase. I'm proud that she's using it appropriately (when something goes wrong with her toys or she is struggling) but I realize it's probably bad for her to be saying it. How do I get her to stop it? We've told her it's an ugly word and to not use it and I've made a conscientious effort to not use it anymore. Any advice?!

[Anonymous]

you curse around your children???????

[Anonymous]

My son started saying shit. First we tried *that's not a nice word. We don't say that.*

That worked for awhile. Months later he started doing it again and it took him getting almost an half hour of back to back time outs to get him to stop. He'd say it, get a time out, get out of time out and say it again 2 minutes later.

I haven't heard it from him since then.

[Anonymous]

Hit send too soon. My new problem is now my daughter has decided saying fuck is easier than saying firetruck. And before you accuse me of being delusional, if I immediately say firetruck! she makes an effort and it sounds more like fiiiiiiiiiii-uck. *sigh*

[Anonymous]

Two is tough, but the strategy that worked for us was: put about 20 M&M's in a baggie that you can carry around. Every time you hear her use the word, you (in an overly dramatic manner) take one out of the bag and put it away. At the end of a reasonable amount of time (maybe right before nap and right before bed?) she gets to eat whatever is left, while you say "oh, too bad, you could have had lots more but you used a naughty word".

Oh, and either stop saying it yourself or use the same system on yourself.

[Anonymous]

I am far from a perfect parent. But I can honestly say that I have never heard my nine year old utter a curse word. My teens have slipped up occasionally in front of me...maybe once or twice at most. I'm sure they use ugly language around their friends, but I've explained many times that the way they talk on the playground is not the same as the way they speak in front of adults.

We don't even allow the kids to say things like "shut-up" "freakin'" or "crap". I simply cannot comprehend a two year old saying "shit".

Why do you curse? And why would you curse (or allow others) to curse around your children? You're "proud that she's using it appropriately"? You can't be serious.

[Anonymous]

DD is a rising Rap star.

[Anonymous]

yep, some people curse. it happens. words are words. However, I do want to teach my children that there are words we don't use....just to save them the judgment of other people. my husband and I have been known to drop the f-bomb or other words, but we have been making a focused effort to contain ourselves around the kids. as a teacher, I'm really not shocked when young children curse - and I don't think their parents are terrible people for doing so either. I once had a child yell "I don't want to take a god-damn nap!" and have heard the f-bomb dropped many times. OP, I would just make an effort to censor myself around your child from now on, but don't make a big deal about the word - they will get tired of it eventually.

[Anonymous]

We just got the "s" word. It happens. Honestly, at this age, I'd ignore it and try your "best" to stop using it. They don't really understand appropriate vs. not at this age with words and are just repeating. If you don't give it a reaction, its no fun and they will find a new word.

[Anonymous]

I think if you occasionally curse (which I don't agree with if at all possible) you need to take a different approach to dealing with your very young children repeating it.

If you say the word is not nice and she shouldn't use it you are just being a hypocrite. I think a better approach is to let her know that it's a word that sometimes grown ups say but children should never say them.

[Anonymous]

My husband and I try REALLY hard to not swear in front of our kids but sometimes it happens - I locked my keys in the car the other day and once realizing it, said "Fuck!" while right next to my two-year-old (thankfully he wasn't locked in the car, too!) and of course he said it right back to me. We have had a lot of success (my daughter is early elementary school) with calling them "grownup words" - she never says them even though she does hear them once in a while, and hasn't since she was in the repeat-it-back stage that my son is now in.

[Anonymous]

If you use then your young child is going to use it. When they are older you can tell them that their are adults that adults use that aren't for children.

Or just stop cursing around your kids.

[Anonymous]

PP here again - the 3-year-old daughter of my sister's husband's brother and his wife was kicked out of her preschool in California for calling the director a "fucking asshole" - that is using those words "appropriately!" Father was not proud, however. Director reamed him for it until he told him that it was his wife with the pottymouth.

[Anonymous]

We were in Panera one day with my 2.5 year old. Seated next to a big table that looked like a bible study group. All of a sudden, my daughter yells "F*ck! F*ck! F*ck!" I was completely mortified, but also trying not to burst out laughing. The timing was just so, so bad given who was sitting next to us.

I called me ex as soon as we got the heck out of there, and he laughed his butt off and said, "that's probably my fault. you know how i get in traffic." I said, "I thought it was my fault! You know how I get in traffic!" I loved that we each blamed ourselves rather than the other person. She hasn't said it since, thank goodness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you curse around your children???????

Shit happens, lady.