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When is swearing bad in and when should we just ignore it and hope that the phase passes? As parents we have many hurdles to jump and the way our toddler speaks defines the type of people they will mix with and the way they will talk as a child .
In your own home you have rules for your toddler and you teach them please and thank you. You are controlling the words they learn and the way they string them together. Toddlers, however, are like sponges and they absorb everything, and if you don’t want them to learn something it is a guarantee that they will!
When is swearing bad ? If your child is old enough to understand that you don’t like the words that they are using and you child continues to repeat them, then it is problem. It is not the words themselves which you have to stop, but you have to work out why your child is using them. Is it a reaction which they get from you? Is it a reaction which they get from other adults? If they are probing for a reaction then you may find that choosing to ignore the swearing may make it go away, but in the meantime you might come across a couple of problems. Firstly, other parents may see your silence as condoning the behaviour, for parents you know, you can explain what you are trying to do, but if you are out and about, you will probably have to deal with condemning looks from complete strangers. Secondly, if they see that they are getting a reaction from other people they may specifically use the words when it will embarrass you most. When is swearing bad enough to start consequences? If you have tried to ignore swear words and they have not gone away, then you may have to have a consequence for the behaviour. Before you can do this you have to explain to your child what will happen. Only a mother knows what consequence will really work with their child and how severe they need it to be – you can always take on other parents’ advice, but remember that you are the one who will be the enforcer, so choose something you can manage.
Where is swearing bad ? Children are not daft. If you have successfully stamped on any swearing in the home or within your earshot, what do you do when you hear from the nursery or school that your child is swearing at other children? Every school or nursery will have guidelines on how they deal with this, but you need to work with the school and speak to any of the parents affected. Remember, if you have a system which has worked at home, then sharing this with other parents and including how they are dealing with it may be the answer to keeping swearing out of the child’s vocabulary a little longer.
How else is swearing bad ? I’m afraid that there is yet more to deal with … if your child is using swear words to wind you up, then once you have removed this piece of ammunition, it is possible that they will find another one the next day. Stay strong and knock each one on the head with the same consistency, eventually your child will get bored.
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