Bad Language

Hi K.. My daughter is 3 and was saying bad words. I sat her down and told her those were bad words people shouldn't say and i don't want you to say those words anymore and mommy and daddy won't say them either. well that worked for about a day. she would cuss and i would say no no we don't say those remember she would just laugh so i pulled out the vinegar and put a dab on her tongue and she cried but i told her when you say those words this is what happens! I had to do that to her about 5 times i mean i gave her a warning. but now she is mostly cuss free all i have to do now is show her the bottle and she stops. poor kid. but i didn't know what else to do. she was cussing in public and that was terrible!! well good luck and yes i would try the time out first if that works for him!

My grandson picked up the word s**t at age 2 1/2 and I told him it was an ugly word so please don't say it, but he continued and then I told him to say shoot instead because I didn't know what else to do.....then one day he was playing and got frustrated and I heard him say to himself "Oh shoot, s**t uggy!" I know I am no help, but thought you might get a chuckle out of this. :) Kids are so funny!

He's hearfing these words from somewhere and has chosen the one he likes to say. Express it's not a good word and yes, try time out, if tht doesn't work, send him to his room

We have had the same issues with our 5 year old son. When he was younger we washed the words away with listerine. I would put some on a wash cloth and wash his tongue to make the bad words go away. It tasted yucky enough that we rarely had the problem. Now that he's older I take away privilages. He looses his tv for the next day, or the evening, whichever is soonest. I think you have to find that trigger that works for your child, so you may have luck with time out.

I have also been married for 5 years and my oldest son will be 3 in dec. I also have a 15 month old son. Anyway, my almost 3 year old has also picked up some bad words. I'm still just ignoring it. He doesn't go many places where I really care if anyone hears him, so I just haven't made a big deal about it. I do like the "potty word" idea above. I don't like the ideas of putting hot or yucky things in kids mouths. I think it is like spanking. It says "I'm bigger and stronger than you." Anyway, I don't guess I'm any help here. Good luck.

My son is now 9. He picked up various interesting "driving" words from his daddy pretty early on. I had a talk with my hubby about the swearing around the kids when he’s driving. He still does sometimes and I explained to the kids that it's not appropriate to use harsh language, particularly around ladies! If they are a "potty mouth" take it to their room and repeat the word 100 times to get it out of their system. It is never allowed outside of there. I rarely hear either child swear now.

If they do, I don't make a big deal out of it, other than pointing them to their room. Frankly, it's a bad habit that more adults need to break, so the kids won’t be hearing it to begin with.

I would never use any sort of hot sauce or anything in the mouth for punishment though. I've always been successful with explaining reasons and being consistent with follow-through on sending them to their rooms for a little time-out. Also, positive reinforcement always seems more successful for me than punitive actions. I thank the kids at the end of the day before bed, for using good manners and language, and for making good decisions at school and with their friends. Kids enjoy being successful too, regardless of age!

We have used Tabasco!! It sounds harsh, but one drop doesn't hurt them. First I explain that there are some words that they will hear and shouldn't say. And I also add that the adult shouldn't be using that language either, so they don't think it is just a kid rule. Then I tell them that the next time I hear them say it they are going to get Tabasco. I've had to use the Tabasco a few times, but it stops there. We only use the Tabasco for bad language, and make sure it is a word we have tallked about not using.

I hope that helps.

P.S. I've also heard of people using vinegar.

My son also picked up this habit very young he is now 12 we went for the idea we did not use these potty words and he had to use the potty wordshe had to go to the bathroom and use them all he wanted to as long as I could not hear them and when he was done using his potty words in the potty room he would flush the potty and his potty words away and come out. We began this very early and continue to still today. This has been the most effective treatmnt for him and flushing the potty words was a tangible thing to say he was done and he really did this. Some days he went to use the potty for his words several times a day and others he only used it maybe once a month, needless to say he has put that terrible habit behind him and he can choose o stay for as long or as little time as he needed and he did not see the reaction from us nothing good or bad his siblings did not laugh and provoke the issue and wow what a help with no audience but the mirror and he was just seeing himself and got bored quickly.

Good luck.
Let us know.
S.