three year old and the word stupid

[seamama11]

Hi,
My three year old is using the word stupid a lot. Sometimes it is just like, that is a stupid tree and after explaining to him how trees are beautiful and help us he will say, oh that tree is not stupid.
But he also calls his dad stupid if he is mad, and he calls his sister stupid all. day. long. she is 18 months and says it right back to him. He says it just to say it. When he is mad or not. At first I said that we don't talk like that in our family, then I just started to ignore it. I find nice moments and explain why it is hurtful and not ok. he still does it. My concern is what if he starts calling friends or kids are the park or kids at preschool stupid, how do I react?
What do you do when your kids use these types of words?
Thanks!

[Marsupialmom]

Things are stupid people are not. Stupid tree, toy, et we ignored. How many times have you said or thought it referring to something? This morning I was saying less nicer things about my can of coffee that would not open.

"Stupid/dumb" people we pulled to the side and discuss what that was not appropriate and at that age labeled the emotion that incited the "stupid/dumb"

[verde]

It's highly likely that this is a phase that will pass. My almost 4y/o DD went through a "stupid" phase last year. It was incredibly annoying and lasted about 2 months. Then she stopped and I haven't heard her say it in a long time. Your son is learning that certain words have the power to elicit strong responses and he's testing you. Respond calmly when you address the issue. Take a deep breath and remember This Too Shall Pass.

[ann_of_loxley]

My son picked up this word from a child who was running around saying it!
It is a phase - and it will pass! (yes - dont worry too much! hehe)...
It will last longer though the more you make a fuss of it cause, hey, mummy is paying so much more attention to me everytime I say this word!
So, ignore it. You have pointed it out and I am sure your child does understand it is not the best of words to have in ones vocabulary. Eventually the word will lose novelty and be dropped. It took about a month and now I have not heard my son say it since! Your child will hear words you don't like, and use them (you may even slip yourself and say a word you wouldn't want your child to use and what do you know, they run around saying it for a few weeks! lol) - there is not much you can do about that at this age. At this age, its not really about the words (my son doesn't even use them appropriately iykwim - they are thrown in wherever).

[macro_grp02]

I agree. Just ignore it. It will just pass, it's just a phase. Don't react at all when he says that.

[labdogs42]

OMGosh, my son went through the "stupid" phase at that age, too! I hated it! It actually caused a huge blowup at a family gathering last Christmas because my son was angry with his younger cousin and called him stupid repeatedly. I was trying to redirect and find a way for DS to express his anger appropriately when my BIL blew up at me for "letting" my kid call his kid stupid. It was kind of a disaster. Anyway, I just wanted to say that this seems to be a popular word at that age and I hope you find your way through it without any major incidents like I had with my "stupid" brother in law!!

ETA, my son's new phrase is "pissed off". It is my own fault for saying it in front of him one day, but man, I almost wish we could go back to the days of "stupid"!