Do you let your child say crap or freakin?

[jdedmom]

My DH and I ignored it when our children picked up these words from the neighbors (ages 6 and 11). It was not really an issue until my middle child went on a playdate and kept using the phrase "Holy Crap!" The other mother was not happy. I also am uncomfortable with children sayin "freakin" because it's a replacement for the other "f" word.

I did tell the neighbors to please not use those words when they are on our property.

What do you think of children using not quite cuss words?

BTW we don't let our children call people stupid, idiot, retard or say shut up either.

[srain]

We allow our kids to swear, but ask them not to do it in public, and explain why. My husband and I swear ourselves, and we're not going to be hypocrites.

[Daisie125]

Yes, but I would let them say sh!t or f*cking too, so I'm probably not the type of person you'd want input from.

[jdedmom]

not the response I was expecting but okay....is age a consideration? Only when I became an adult did I cuss around my mom and I'm trying to curb it now because I feel like I'm disrespecting her because she doesn't cuss around me.

[Still_Snarky]

Originally Posted by srain

We allow our kids to swear, but ask them not to do it in public, and explain why. My husband and I swear ourselves, and we're not going to be hypocrites.

:

[angelpie545]

Originally Posted by jdedmom

not the response I was expecting but okay....is age a consideration? Only when I became an adult did I cuss around my mom and I'm trying to curb it now because I feel like I'm disrespecting her because she doesn't cuss around me.

I see where you are coming from-but I think kids do need some outlet-so I let my kids say crap and "freaking". I don't let them swear, but I know that I can't stop them forever. I know that I have a potty mouth to work on myself, and I don't want to be the "do as I say, not as I do" type of parent. I don't really care if other mothers are offended, personally.

[LovemyBoo]

Crap and freakin' don't bother me. I let the kids know that they are not okay for polite conversation, but at home or with friends I don't care.

[lab]

Once my son hit middle school, all bets were off!

Hopefully my kids realize when it is appropriate to say 'bad' words. When they slide or forget, I remind them. I don't mind hearing crap or suck, but I don't want to hear cuss words at all! I know they say it around their friends - I'm not stupid. But I don't cuss at them and I don't want to hear it either.

[Mary-Beth]

No, I wouldn't go along with 'freakin' or crap.

I don't talk that way and don't want them to.

I would (and have) asked kids playing in my house/yard not to talk that way.

[momuveight2B]

Not in the house, at church or at school BUT I know they say these words with their friends. I just ask that they show respect in front of others. So far it has worked OK to use this approach.

[RedWine]

Originally Posted by srain

We allow our kids to swear, but ask them not to do it in public, and explain why. My husband and I swear ourselves, and we're not going to be hypocrites.

This is us too.

[dynamicdoula]

*sigh*

yes, we let them say it... sometimes. We don't have real clear boundaries about things like this, I'll admit.

[jdedmom]

My middle son has Aspergers and I don't think it will work to allow the words in certain situations. It would have to be an all or nothing thing.

Also I agree that they will use this language when I'm not around.

The "real" cuss words are not okay in our house (except when I say them )

[Nodtveidt]

It takes an adult to realize that they're only words.

[2Sweeties1Angel]

I could make a sailer blush, so it would be pretty hypocritical to not allow my children to say tame words like crap or freakin'. I'm not totally above hypocrisy--they're not "allowed" to say real swear words but I don't punish them if they do. DS1 was got in trouble at school last week because him and his little buddy were whispering cuss words into each other's ears on the playground Of course some kid had to go and rat them out.

[lab]

Originally Posted by Nodtveidt

It takes an adult to realize that they're only words.

Weeelllll...... not really....

My 13 year old asked me the about a year ago why I cared about the words damn and hell. He said they were only cuss words because people decided they were cuss words.

'course, he asked me when he was 8 years old why he should care about a letter on the top of a piece of paper (in reference to school obviously).....

He's so much fun!

[annethcz]

Originally Posted by srain

We allow our kids to swear, but ask them not to do it in public, and explain why. My husband and I swear ourselves, and we're not going to be hypocrites.

Yup, this is what we do also.

BTW, we don't allow our kids to call names (stupid, idiot, or genius in a sarcastic tone of voice).

[UnschoolnMa]

My kids swear the same way an adult is free to. We don't have an issue with it at all. We've discussed tact and being mindful of the environment we're in and the people we are with. It's been fine.

[artgirl]

I can't believe your post is here. My dd said "freakin" for the first time ever today and of course it was in front of grandpa.

I did not like the sound of it at all. She's only 4 and I don't think a 4 y.o. should be using a word that really is shorthand for the "f" word.

my dh uses "freakin" all the time so I know where she picked it up. I quietly told her that that was not really a nice thing to say... even though I know that daddy says it all the time. I don't think she'll say it again. She's pretty aware of that kind of thing.

[lilyka]

My kids say it and I hate it. but it is a grey area and they learned it from me. its really hard to enforce. They know to watch thier mouth in front of grandma and out in public but at home I gently correct them and ask them not to use those words and let them know that I am trying to stop also. they are free to correct me too.