A child learning new words is probably up there among the top things that get parents most excited. However, as amazing as the feelings these scenarios can bring, they do come with their not-so-great surprises. Take, for instance, your kids repeating some of the curses and swear words that have been uttered in their presence.
Hearing your child drop a curse word may come as a shock at first. With all the effort you’ve put into making sure your kid expresses his feelings and builds his vocabulary in G-rated ways, the age-inappropriate language can take you aback.
Now, before you turn red from embarrassment or anger, know that your child doesn’t have a single clue about what he’s saying. Also, you’re not the only parent going through this experience. Many others are also trying to find the most effective ways to deal with kids who have become a little too acquainted with offensive language.
4 Ways to Keep Your Kids from Becoming Potty Mouths
If your little one starts spewing language that you don’t appreciate, use the following responses to deal with the situation effectively:
1. Don’t Overreact
Young kids are all about getting a response from mom and dad, so when they realize that a particular word gets to you, you can bet they’re going to be saying it frequently. A child who is only just starting to test his limits can find it exciting to see mom and dad lose their cool.
As for words like butt, preschoolers will only keep saying them because they find them funny. So, be careful about how you react to these words. React too much, and you may just fan those flames of intrigue in such repetition.
2. Keep Your Cool
The potty-training phase can develop in your children a fascination for things bowel-related. Your child has only just graduated from diapers, so everything in the bathroom is still new to him. He is going to be obsessed with bodily functions like pooping and peeing and, consequently, say things like pee and poop every now and then.
What do you do when your child tells someone they smell like something their bodies just discharged into the toilet? Don’t lose your cool. You don’t want your children to get the impression that pee or poop are bad words since you will eventually need to talk to them about bathroom behaviors. Things like passing gas and loose bowel movement may also be part of the conversation.
Of course, these words won’t be appreciated in a dinner setting. If your child has a potty mouth during dinner at grandma’s, then he would have to be told to go somewhere private if he wants to say them.
Furthermore, you should also be careful with how you handle bathroom issues. If you twist your mouth in disgust when changing a messy diaper, your child is going to pick up on this action and make a huge deal out of it, too. Be more matter-of-fact about life’s stinkier subjects, and it will cause your little one to lose interest in them quickly.
3. Ignore It the First Time
The first time your kid drops the f-bomb, act as if you didn’t hear it. He will pick up on your uninterested reaction and be less inclined to revisit the word. If it happens another time, tell your child calmly that he is saying a bad word, and he shouldn’t be using it again.
Bad language in children can be the result of being around older kids and adults who are not being the best role models. Make sure the people your child spends time with are on their best behavior. Life’s hardships may cause you to slip up at times, but that’s okay. Just make sure to acknowledge your mistake and then act as if nothing happened.
4. Talk to Your Child
Parents should always draw the line at unkind words. There are some words you can ignore, but then there are others where you just have to step in and tell your child that he shouldn’t be saying. Explain to your little one that saying these words to a person can make them feel sad and hurt. Ask them how they would feel if someone called them names, too.
Put more effort into cursing and swearing less around your children. You’ll also want to encourage your child to talk more appropriately by praising him for not resorting to hurtful words to express his frustration.
The Bottomline
You can’t shelter your child from curse words their entire childhood. They’ll eventually hear and pick up on some of these words from you and the other people they spend time with.
What’s most important is that you keep these words from becoming a regular part of your child’s vocabulary. You can do this by ignoring and curbing your reactions to f-bombs and words pertaining to bodily functions, as well as putting your foot down on hurtful statements, telling your kids flat out that they are off-limits.
In the event that you are unable to get a handle on the situation, don’t hesitate to contact Speech and Language therapists who can offer the best solutions for dealing with these awkward situations.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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