Do your kids curse?

[diggitydot]

FWIW, I would not tolerate being disrespectful to me or anyone. I allow my son to swear in front of me because I want him to feel supported by me and to know that he can say anything in front of me. He's been in therapy, and I think this has been helpful to him. He knows I have his back. However, he also knows that dh and I are the only adults he can swear in front of.

Furthermore, they are just words. So, who gives a shit?

I agree. So long as nothing is disrespectful, I'm usually cool. Anything ventures into disrespect and they're in seriously deep shit. But "disrespect" could just be eye-rolling or sighing around these parts. Language really doesn't bother me, obvs, but being respectful is a big deal.

[Chrisada]

I don't think anyone has said anything about banning words like "poopy." I'm talking about actual cursing by elementary aged children. From what I've seen, the young children allowed to curse at home where I live have also cursed at sports games, at school and in public in general, which is not ok in my book. I also think 14 is very different from 5-8, though I still don't see DH and me allowing cursing from our teenagers in front of us. DH would not go for that.

[diggitydot]

I don't think anyone has said anything about banning words like "poopy." I'm talking about actual cursing by elementary aged children. From what I've seen, the young children allowed to curse at home where I live have also cursed at sports games, at school and in public in general, which is not ok in my book.

It's REALLY hard for a lot of kids to self regulate. Particularly elementary aged kiddos. Moreso when parents are lackadaisical about boundaries in other areas.

[Chrisada]

Exactly DD!

[Chrisada]

Lol ok I see poopy was brought up. My kids probably say poopy or poop 100 times a day.

[alison]

I didn't mean that it's a banned word, but one that gets notice for not being nice.

[spotty_dog]

Oh, I just brought that up as an example of how any kind of unpleasant language gets handled around here. There's no washing out of the mouth or going to time-out, just a reminder to choose a different word and why. I think I laughed at the "poopy" remark, it was only DD who labeled it as rude.

[BonBon]

My kids have been exposed to colorful language, but they know that there are gradations of "badness" and that other people can find the words very offensive. They're not allowed to say them themselves until they are as tall as I am, and obvs an eff you to me will not be tolerated.

I've never been one to get up in arms over profanity, but I do get annoyed when it's used inappropriately. ie we were hiking in one of Ithaca's gorges over the weekend and these younguns were shouting (in a fun way) "Fuck you! NO WAIT! DOUBLE fuck you!!" I hike to be surrounded by green, fresh air, and beautiful sounds. Not idiot teenagers.

[scrub-jay]

I distinctly remember my younger brother going through a stage where he'd drive my father crazy with his name calling. Was it traditional swearing? No, it was "You're a donkey head!!" Who knows where he came up with that one. My point is it's disrespectful all the same, swearing or not...words have power.

[v-girl]

My kids aren't allowed to swear. DH and I may slip occasionally, but the kids would get a bar of soap in their mouth for cursing. We do use the word poopy though. It's a fun word.

Poopy poopy poopy poopy poopy

[Michele]

Kai has been getting in trouble at preschool because he uses the word poop too much and the other parents are complaining. Insert gigantic eyeroll from me. But we are making an effort at home to keep potty words in the potty. And if we aren't using the bathroom then we don't have a reason to use the word. I used to curse constantly but have toned it down tremendously since having children. I've mostly just switched expletives. Sugar sticks instead of shit. Coconuts (a la Cubby from Jake) is another I throw in.

When I'm tired and frustrated though, more slip.

I don't think it's appropriate for kids to say because of their inability to change based on the appropriateness of a situation. Since they are too young to know to not say it at school or sports then they shouldn't be allowed to say it at home.

But once they are old enough/mature enough to handle the difference? Say whatever you want when you aren't around influential others.

[corn poffi]

Poop (and all of its variations...poopy, pooppants, etc.) is probably the best word in the English language. That's all I really have to add to this thread.

[Chrisada]

So my friend whose son said shit in the Y childwatch apparently called another kid dumb in there yesterday. The mother found my friend on the treadmill and started yelling at her. Actual yelling.

[alison]

Ugh! I don't get how yelling at at another adult models the behavior that you'd want your kids to emulate. Even if the kids aren't there, there's got to be an element of restraint and maturity that just says it's not ok to yell at someone else.

[Chrisada]

Bitches be trippin. I'm sure this thread could morph into crazy shit other moms do.