This is how I have always thought of "bad" words.. they are words. I was a very nieve child, and well.. it stuck. Due to being "nieve" I got slapped in the face repeated times for saying "bad" words. I did NOT know why I was being punished. I think because of this childhood experience, I wouldn't necessarily punish my dd for saying a "bad" word. The only thing that I honestly fear if my dd starts saying curse words is that I will be labeled a bad mother, and that she will be labeled a bad child. I will discourage the use of 4 letter words. I agree that stupid, retarded, idiot, racial slurs etc will not be tolorated because they are demeaning. I will explain this to my dd, and how it can hurt someones feelings if/when those words come around. I know in my case, when I said a bad word, I honestly didn't know it was bad, and certainly did not know why it was bad.. I think talking about it is the best thing, although we are not there yet ( knock on wood)
I like that. I totally agree. 
