A few months ago as we were on our way to daycare, Greenleigh was walking out of the house and dropped her backpack. She looked at the backpack on the ground and, without missing a beat, said “Oh, s&*t!”. She then picked up the backpack and continued to walk towards the car as if nothing had happened. I, on the other hand, had to almost physically pick my jaw up off the ground. Where had she learned that? Oh, right…me. But when did she become a parrot? What happened to my little baby who couldn’t talk, let alone repeat a phrase? Apparently, I missed the day where she started to completely understand what I’m saying and mimic me correctly. I mean, give her points for using it properly in the situation, but that’s got to stop. Yesterday.
Over the next few weeks, we tried to correct Greenleigh every time she used the dreaded “s” word (no other new words arrived in her vocabulary after that, thank goodness). Each time she would use it, we would say, “Yes, Greenleigh, that’s your shirt,” or “Yeah, what pretty shoes you have on Greenleigh.” She said the s word and we said “shirt”. She wasn’t buying it, but I figured if we were consistent, the dreaded word would go away. Through this process we had a few embarrassing situations arise where she decided to use her new word in public, but other than the side-eye we received from a babysitter, it went unnoticed. The word disappeared and we felt victorious.
Until Christmas.
After months of watching our words at home, the “s” word reappeared while we were at Erajh’s parents house on Christmas Day. Seriously? Of all the days. We then repeated the process of convincing her that she was actually trying to say “shoot”. Problem is, Greenleigh thinks she’s funny. She also thinks the word “s&*t” is hilarious. We started using time out but it doesn’t seem to bother her. In fact, when you ask her why she had to go to time out, she says “oh, s&*t!” and erupts in giggle fits. We are being stern about it, but no luck so far. Perhaps we are paying too much attention to the bad behavior?
We figured there was no chance this was going to go unnoticed by her teachers at daycare. If it came up, I had plans to say something to the effect of, “Oh really, she never does that at home.” Okay, maybe I wouldn’t have done that, but I might have acted surprised. Instead, Erajh ratted us out and told them the whole story. According to them, she never says it there. What? We just ratted ourselves out for no reason.
I never claimed to be stellar at this parenting thing.
Anyone ever have a situation like this? How did you handle it? Help, please!
wow, I don’t know what to say. That’s hilarious. And even though it’s technically a bad word, it’s really not gonna harm anyone (at least she’s not using racial slurs).
I love this quote from your post: “I mean, give her points for using it correctly in the situation, but that’s got to stop. Yesterday.”
I went through this with my daughter. Except she dropped the F-bomb. She and my fiance were playing a game of tag one day and my daughter decided to run into her room. Ken chased after her and as she went to slam the door he stuck his foot out. He thought she had ran to hide under the covers. Nope. She was standing right on the other side. He yelled “Watch out for the F*c*ing door!” right as the door knob was smacking her in the nose 🙁 About a week later she says “Mom. Ken told me to watch out for the F-ing door” I ignored it. We don’t cuss a ton around the kids. That word just kind of fell out of his mouth in a panic. I explained to her that there were certain words that only adults can use. My daughter is very emotional so I played up the it’s not nice card. That seemed to really get at her. I guess there really isn’t the perfect solution. Just figuring out what will work for your daughter. If trying to correct her with other words like “shirt” aren’t working, try a new tactic. Good luck!
Vanessa
I recommend explaining to her that there are words only grownups can use and that is one of them. Then just remind her of that rule everytime she says it. The key is not to react to her saying the word, just simply state the rule. We had this problem when Tyler started saying “damn it” and even using it in the correct context. It only took a few reminders about the rule before he stopped using it. Oh, and we confessed prematurely to daycare, too! Except for us, one of his teachers said the other teacher thought she heard him say it but couldn’t believe that their beloved Tyler could say such a word! LOL! Good luck and keep us posted!
I either ignore it completely or I pretend that I cannot understand what Mia is saying. She’s used the F and B word correctly. However, pretending like she isn’t using a word that anyone understands seems to have worked.
I’m raising a parrot too. He’s 2 and copies EVERYTHING I say. I write about him a lot on my blog… I think 2 is a hard age, they know exactly what there word means and are trying to get a reaction from you. Everything my son does he tries to get a reaction from you. So I also have tried the ignore thing. He keeps saying it louder and louder, imagine my embarrassment in the middle of Target. *sigh* If you figure out something that works let me know. Oh and I am a new follower from a weekend blog hop. Stop by my blog sometime. http://musingsofmotherhoodwi.blogspot.com/
The problem with the ‘there are words only adults can can say’ is a child doesn’t understand why only adults can say certain things. Not the point, I understand. But the best way to teach a child not use use certain language would be not to use it. Easier said than done, I know! Once when my sister (who is 14 years younger than me) was about 2 1/2 she overheard me and my adoptive mother arguing and heard me say bull sh** and then proceeded to say it repeatedly for about 3 days. It was embarrassing and I was afraid she would repeat it at church or somewhere else that would be equally as awful! Children learn best by example and the best way to ‘teach’ rebellion is to instill a ‘do as I say not as I do’ mentality!! I know, that’s how I was raised!
As frustrating as I know the experience is, your posting made me “burst into a fit of giggles”. Sorry that I do not have any helpful words in this situation … just to hop that “this too shall pass”. I am new to your blog and found you through the blog hop. Hope you hop over to Surrounded by Pink to say hello!
I am a horrible horrible person, but I found myself giggling over this post. It seems like no matter which way you handle things, it goes the opposite way.
Eventually, they outgrow it………..unless you have boys………potty humor never end.
That’s so funny. Kids say and do the most funny things.
Louise
Blog hopping.
I raised three kids and never had the problem but that’s probably because the words weren’t used in the home. I agree with Jo-Lyn that introducing the idea that adults can say (and do) certain things that kids cannot is problematic.
You probably need to find something that will “hurt” your little one when she has to give it up. Then introduce the idea that certain behaviours and language will result in certain consequences. If time out is not working, you will need to fine the thing that does.
Sorry I’m not much help. I have an almost 2 y/o grandson and I am just waiting to hear something “inappropriate” come out of his mouth as his mom and dad aren’t as careful about what they say around him. When that happens, I’ll remember to come back here and see if anyone has any better advice!
Found you through the blog hop on World Of My Imagination, BTW.
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