Cussing at/to Children

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Replies

  • rebbylicious
    rebbylicious Posts: 621 Member
    Well My 3 yr old must have overheard my husband and I arguing and decided to start using the F word. (2 months ago) I have done everything to get the language to stop. I sat him in a naughty chair several times, I made him lick a bar of soap, I tried ignoring it, I tried explaining to him that people are going to think he is a bad boy if he uses naughty words... nothing is helping. He uses the word quite frequently now, It is becoming a habit. I feel like a completely trashy mom but I have done everything and don't know what else to do.
  • CrazyTrackLady
    CrazyTrackLady Posts: 1,337 Member
    I am a teacher in a Catholic school. It is NEVER appropriate to cuss in front of kids, AND where I work, it is also a form of cussing to say the following words (and I do not tolerate them in my class):

    Crap
    Sucks
    Oh My God
    Friggen/Frickin

    NOW, I swear in the staff room and behind closed classroom doors, but I keep my voice down when I do.

    My own children -- aged 17 and almost 20 -- are NOT allowed to cuss in front of my husband or me. My son dropped the F bomb the other day and he immediately apologized and dropped and gave me 20 push ups. I caught my daughter talking on the phone and using the F word and I made HER drop and give me 20 too. Yes, I know they cuss, and I know they're old enough, but I really don't like the potty mouths from children.

    (When our daughter's ex boyfriend dumped her via text, she actually asked us for permission to call him a cuss word, and we allowed her - because she was being very correct in her word choice)
  • mojohowitz
    mojohowitz Posts: 900 Member
    my mom was always a *****.......

    1, 2, 3, 4... phew. Ok. 5 stars there. I thought there were only four.
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    Kids hear it everywhere it can't be avoided thus is life
    [/quote


    True]
  • CrazyTrackLady
    CrazyTrackLady Posts: 1,337 Member
    Most of us are educated enough to choose another word to replace a curse word with. We have so many words at our disposal to use. :ohwell:
    Emphasis on *most*. With a universe of words at your disposal, why choose the most vulgar? We regularly replace swear words at our house with "Blast!" "Crikey!" or simply, "Curses!"

    Yes, kids are going to learn the words eventually. But I want my daughter to get through childhood without thinking that such language is common or acceptable.

    I have a couple of "cuss" words that I've made up:

    FRIGDIDDLY (you can use this with so many variations, it makes it fun):

    Examples:

    as an adverb: "That was FRIGDIDDLY awesome!"

    as a verb: "Quit Frigdiddling around and get back to work"

    as a noun: "I don't give one flying FRIGDIDDLE about your problems."


    SHI-DANG!
    A conglomeration of "*kitten*" and a cleaned up "da*m"

    "Awwwww, SHIIIIII DANG! I spilled my pop!"
  • slkehl
    slkehl Posts: 3,801 Member
    Mainly because the words are usually expressing anger in an extreme way and I think its not a good idea to do that in front of kids.

    This is when I would say cussing is not okay. When my dad swore at me, he was in a full rage, and it was scary. I got the point, but I think he should have used other parenting techniques to show me that what I was doing was not okay.
  • vmekash
    vmekash Posts: 422 Member
    Swearing in general is no big deal, in my opinion. I've never censored my language in front of my kids. They are teen/twenties now, and they simply do not curse. I never cared whether they did or not. However, self control is important, as there are places you just should not do it. Like in front of OTHER people's children. Their parents may not appreciate it.

    Most important distinction, however, is --
    Cursing is fine
    Cursing AT anyone is never okay. Never.

    (The f-bomb drops out of my mouth quite regularly, but you will never ever hear me say F-U to anyone. Ever.
    And, I will never say "I hate you" to anyone. Ever. And I will never ever call someone "stupid." Those are my personal rules about such things.)
  • LonLB
    LonLB Posts: 1,126 Member
    "Cussing" as opposed to "cursing" or "swearing" is just as horrible a word as most swear words.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Most of us are educated enough to choose another word to replace a curse word with. We have so many words at our disposal to use. :ohwell:
    Emphasis on *most*. With a universe of words at your disposal, why choose the most vulgar? We regularly replace swear words at our house with "Blast!" "Crikey!" or simply, "Curses!"

    Yes, kids are going to learn the words eventually. But I want my daughter to get through childhood without thinking that such language is common or acceptable.

    I have a couple of "cuss" words that I've made up:

    FRIGDIDDLY (you can use this with so many variations, it makes it fun):

    Examples:

    as an adverb: "That was FRIGDIDDLY awesome!"

    as a verb: "Quit Frigdiddling around and get back to work"

    as a noun: "I don't give one flying FRIGDIDDLE about your problems."


    SHI-DANG!
    A conglomeration of "*kitten*" and a cleaned up "da*m"

    "Awwwww, SHIIIIII DANG! I spilled my pop!"

    Well howdy doodly, neighborino!

    222px-Ned_Flanders.png
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I read an article that suggest cussing at your child is a form of verbal abuse. I also work at a school that does not tolerate teachers and coaches who cuss in the classroom, on the playing fields or courts, or to our students.

    What are your thoughts? Is it a form of verbal abuse? Is it ever okay? Are coaches okay to do this, but not teachers?

    Yes--it is verbal abuse. I remember one incident that will stick in my mind forever. A father and son (the son was about 7 or 8) pulled into the parking lot next to where I was waiting in the car for my husband to mail a package. The son jumped out of the car on the passenger side (our car was parked on that side of their vehicle) with a letter in his hand. In the process of jumping out, the son inadvertently knocked some kind of beverage in a cup over on the seat and the "father" started cussng a blue streak at him. Our windows were open so I could hear every word. The son kept saying, "Daddy I'm sorry. I'm sorry--don't be mad." It nearly broke my heart. Every word was like a lash on the poor little boy. When my husband came out of the post office, he could see that I was upset and I told him what had happened. Of course, my heroic hubby wanted to "go and talk to the guy". He seemed genuinely disappointed when I said that they were just there to mail a letter and after the boy dropped it in the box, they took off. I often think about that little boy and wonder what became of him. They say that in the prisons, Mother's Day is a big deal--that even hardened criminals will make a point of sending their mother's cards. But there is rarely a peep about Father's Day--that few criminals have any fond memories of their fathers, if they knew them at all. :cry:
  • wineplease
    wineplease Posts: 469 Member
    "Cussing" as opposed to "cursing" or "swearing" is just as horrible a word as most swear words.
    I don't understand your point.
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
    My parents, especially my mother were always cursing around us. I think I turned out okay.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    My parents, especially my mother were always cursing around us. I think I turned out okay.

    There's a difference between "cussing at the air" and cursing at one's child. My kind and loving father was known to turn the air blue on occasion, but he NEVER ever cursed us.
  • Queen_JessieA
    Queen_JessieA Posts: 1,059 Member
    Talking in any negative way is verbal abuse. Cursing or no.

    My 13.5 year old daughter just told answered the question that was origionally posted and she said she thinks it is verbal abuse. I agree. Curse words are not positive words. There are too many other words I can use. Really, the only thing I really say is Piss. Like someone pissed me off. And I try my hardest NOT to say it around my children. They are 7, 10 and 13.5. I try to model that I am raising a lady and gentlemen and we do not say ugly words.
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    Sometimes the little *kitten* deserve it
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    I read an article that suggest cussing at your child is a form of verbal abuse. I also work at a school that does not tolerate teachers and coaches who cuss in the classroom, on the playing fields or courts, or to our students.

    What are your thoughts? Is it a form of verbal abuse? Is it ever okay? Are coaches okay to do this, but not teachers?

    My history teacher often said things like "don't be a f&*ing idiot, boy" and was by far and away the best teacher I ever had at school. People get their knickers in a twist over everything (and nothing) nowadays.

    I fear for the next generation who are shielded from all potential harm, all potentially negative experiences, any expectations..... I employ young people and am often amazed at the things they don't know/can't do/think are beneath them. There are exceptions, but a lot of the youth coming through seems to lack sand/grit. We made them this way, so we've got no one to blame but ourselves....
  • MrsBobaFett
    MrsBobaFett Posts: 802 Member
    My mum used to swear all the time.

    I personally could never at my son.

    My next door neighbour on the other hand swears at her 3yo son like there is no tomorrow and when I hear it, it makes me feel sick, the names she calls him are disgraceful..
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    See, I think there's a difference between a parent swearing at their children as a matter of course, which is a sad indictment of the parental bond with their child and makes for a barometer of the rest of the relationship. I would personally say something to someone giving their own child stick like that in public.

    However, people they will come into contact with in the course of their daily lives will swear. It's gonna happen, they're going to hear it. As an adult, they're going to have to deal with a lot more **** than a few simple swear words from all the non-parents in their lives. This they should be able to suck up and learn to deal with

    But, I do agree a parent who swears constantly at their child (not in their hearing, but AT them) is a different matter - it indicates something is off in that relationship.
  • kitticus15
    kitticus15 Posts: 152 Member
    You get what you give, you treat children the way you want to be treated. If you swear at another person (regardless of age or category) then you better expect them to swear back at you.



    I just had a run in with my daughter this morning... I have gone without to give her what she wants... now she expects everything and to come first, has no respect whatsoever for me and talks to me like I am dirt... so yes this morning I cussed at her cos I am sick of being verbally abused by her...
  • ziggiezambi
    ziggiezambi Posts: 253
    It’s a thin line. One thing’s for certain you should never call a kid a swear word.
    And it’s probably a good idea never to swear in front of someone else’s kids unless the parent is okay with it.
    Never swear at a kid that is not your own.
    And as far as teachers go I think elementary school teachers defiantly shouldn’t but after that it doesn’t really matter as long as there not bashing the kids or calling them names, because by middle school the kids are already using the words anyway.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I think it sounds stupid for anyone to curse too much. Calling people names is bad in general but calling a kid a name is twice as bad. Just be nice people, use some manners, and get some tolerance :)

    You are right. Recent studies show that cursing (and bad language in general) makes people withdraw from you.
  • craigmandu
    craigmandu Posts: 976 Member
    I personally don't believe the "word" is the culprit.

    If someone is going to verbally attack someone else, I don't think it matters if the word is a swear word or not, the tone and message are what matters. You can be just as mean using "approved" words as these "unapproved" words....the word isn't the problem.
  • wineplease
    wineplease Posts: 469 Member
    I fear for the next generation who are shielded from all potential harm, all potentially negative experiences, any expectations..... I employ young people and am often amazed at the things they don't know/can't do/think are beneath them. There are exceptions, but a lot of the youth coming through seems to lack sand/grit. We made them this way, so we've got no one to blame but ourselves....

    So, cussing at our kids will toughen them up and make them better employees in the future?
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    So, cussing at our kids will toughen them up and make them better employees in the future?

    not completely but i do think kids are coddled way to much. kids get trophys for finishing last or just showing up. these kids i bet are going to feel a much bigger sense of entitlement than previous generations because they are always being rewarded for average effort.

    same with bad words. far better for kids to hear "rough" language (though not directly pointed at them) so that when they are in the workforce they aren't shocked by the word, wheres that god damn report.

    sure its easy for me to say this as a single childless guy, but if somehow i slipped or will slip one past the goalie i will mix raising him/her with a sense they can do anything if they put forth the effort and that the general population will be filled with people you may or may not get along with and you need to learn to deal with it.
  • wineplease
    wineplease Posts: 469 Member
    not completely but i do think kids are coddled way to much. kids get trophys for finishing last or just showing up. these kids i bet are going to feel a much bigger sense of entitlement than previous generations because they are always being rewarded for average effort.
    Totally different topic.
    same with bad words. far better for kids to hear "rough" language (though not directly pointed at them) so that when they are in the workforce they aren't shocked by the word, wheres that god damn report.
    I am 45, from New York, and all my grandparents and parents cussed. Never at each other nor ever at children. And *I* am offended by anyone using GD. If you said that to me in the workplace, I would tell you it's offensive.
  • LilMissDB
    LilMissDB Posts: 133
    I personally don't think anyone should cuss to or at children.

    That said, interestingly enough, I don't cuss at all because my parents did it A LOT and I always thought it was a really unattractive quality. So maybe it is good, who knows? haha!
  • supertracylynn
    supertracylynn Posts: 1,338 Member
    [more likely than not abut to get ripped a new one on the forums]

    I have been out of control before, lost my temper before, and said/done things as a parent that I am super not proud of.

    A lot of things changed when my divorce started a couple years ago... And one of them that I knew was necessary was cutting as many curse words from my vocab as possible.
    Now it's "Fudge Brownies!!!"
    Because, you know, that' bad.

    One time in particular that I am really not proud of is when I made my 8y/o cry. She had spent hours laying in to my 5y/o, nit picking, ordering her around, saying mean things, etc, when she herself was refusing to get in to a much needed shower. I had to call her out for being mean, ask her if that's how she wants to be known, tell her she is bullying her sister and that's not okay, tell her she smells bad (which was true) and needs to wash the dirt off of her, and how she is being ridiculous. Cue the tears.
    No curse words were used. And I felt like a terrible mom :(
    But! Since that day a month and a half ago, I've only had to remind her to stop bullying her sister a handful of times.
  • AlexThreeClaw
    AlexThreeClaw Posts: 73 Member
    I personally don't believe the "word" is the culprit.

    If someone is going to verbally attack someone else, I don't think it matters if the word is a swear word or not, the tone and message are what matters. You can be just as mean using "approved" words as these "unapproved" words....the word isn't the problem.

    This, exactly.
    My favourite aunt would swear like a trooper.

    It was a little bit confusing. We all knew we'd in so much trouble if we repeated the things she said and we never really understood how she could get away with being so rude to people, even the most uptight people would let it slide. I guess it's because everyone knew there was no malice behind her words.

    Just to give a bit of detail. Sometimes it seemed almost every other word out of her mouth was a naughty one. She'd offer us prunes with the warning, "They'll make you ****." We had a teacher with a habit of closing her eyes when she talked and my aunt asked her, "Are you f-ing falling asleep?"

    She also had lots of off colour phrases. Where other members of the family might answer the question "What's for tea?" with a cheeky "If it's." (Meaning, if it's food, be thankful.) My aunt would answer "Fanny on a plate." o_o Not sure I want that to be honest. Other people might say, "find a penny, pick it up. All day long you'll have good luck"? Nope. "Rub it on your cunny, it'll bring you more money."
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    I fear for the next generation who are shielded from all potential harm, all potentially negative experiences, any expectations..... I employ young people and am often amazed at the things they don't know/can't do/think are beneath them. There are exceptions, but a lot of the youth coming through seems to lack sand/grit. We made them this way, so we've got no one to blame but ourselves....

    So, cussing at our kids will toughen them up and make them better employees in the future?

    No, but this mamby-pamby, rolling-in-cotton-wool attitude is not doing the next generation any favours. I was broadening out the debate somewhat, since it seems to me that the impulse behind calling anything mildly-offensive "abuse" in modern life is part of a larger whole.
  • wineplease
    wineplease Posts: 469 Member
    No, but this mamby-pamby, rolling-in-cotton-wool attitude is not doing the next generation any favours..

    I don't consider refraining from cussing at my children as raising them mamby-pamby, rolling-in-cotton-wool attitude.