When kids start cursing at an early age, do you correct them or laugh it off?

Question

When my sis was a toddler, somethinf freaked out my fam and my little sis screamed. “Lets get the hell out of here!” No one in the fam cussed around her except for my grandma. So she definitely either got it from her or Spongebob. Lol. It was slick adorable but my mom immediately corrected her. I wasn't too surprised considering she only allowed me to say “wench/wrench.” She wasn't even cool with me saying hoe/piss/crap until more recently 🤣 And i dont even consider those to be cuss words. Now i have watched other kids with their families and the kid will call their mom a B word or tell their parents to fck off and the parents just laugh it off. Like what in the world 💀 #FeelFreeToList

t-8900 · Accepted Answer

I correct them. Mostly words are just that , words. But because a child doesn't really know any better and has no filter they might use words improperly and hurt others or themselves. Like shouting "SOB THAT HURT!" when you bust your big toe nail, not an issue in my book. Or "DAMN THAT WAS ONE NASTY ASS SH*T" again not a big deal. But when you start directing words towards individuals, especially when unwarranted, thats where the issues arise imho. So because kids have a hard time understand this its best to just correct them. At least until they are old enough to really understand the difference. I'm thinking like mid-late teens or whatever. And even then dont cuss at the dinner table, a date, church, or specific events.

TheSpaceGnome · Accepted Answer

Swearing is funny, people get too worked up over nothing.

I'm never having kids, but if I had any, they would be raised without censorship, they would be taught to defy instead of obey, to think for themselves instead of believe, to say whatever they want because freedom of speech is more important than being offended, would never be told lies by me (including things like santa or religions), and would be experts in science and arts. I would also teach them that their happiness is more important than pleasing other people's standards, and to never let anyone crush their hopes or dreams of achieving what they want in life.

DeeDeeDeVour · Accepted Answer

Me to a close friend:
"Please don't get mad at me. I heard you daughter cussing profanities and cursing at other kids in the party. Are you aware if that?"
My friend (?) angrily replied:
"I don't give a shit what my fucking boy craps out of that fuckin' foul mouth of his! Besides, what the fuckin' hell do you know about parenting, Dee? You don't have any kids! So, just fuck off!"
Me: "Whoa! Dark side alert! Calm down."
Everybody else in the party: "Boo! Unacceptable, disrespectful behavior! Have her escorted out Dee!"
Security arrives, 'friend' races out & recklessly leaves on her car.
Everybody: "Bitch left her son!"

tatianamay · Accepted Answer

Well, if i cuss, my mom's slippers would be flying in air 🤣

I use "shit", "crap", "oh my god", "damn it" and "hell" often.. she is fine with those, but she is not okay with me using the f-word and the b-word lol. Wait, she is not okay with "oh my god" either.

Usually, when kids use cuss words, they tend to be unaware of the meaning behind it.. i would laugh it off and correct them. I woukd explain WHY they should not use those. Somw cuss words like "damn" or "hell" is fine, but others which are over the top insulting should not be tolerated.. i would tell them not to use it anymore, in a nice way

Lucy68 · Answer

When I watch kids (normally my neighbors kids or kid's in children church) and they say a curse word I correct them and tell them that words like that aren't appropriate for children and they shouldn't say words like. I usually will tell them that in a calm manner.

NathanDavis · Answer

both... laugh it off and also explain to them, that curse words are not nice and you can't just go around saying it... and it's something you work on over time, till they finally get it

but I would make a differentiation here, curse words are funny... but insulting someone and on top of that with curse words, that's something that is not tolerated in my family... lol

and I have never seen it either, not in my family and not with the dozens of relatives I have

AviatorTom · Answer

Just ignore it if you can. Any reaction at all will encourage them.

Parents and close relatives should watch their tongue when around young ones... that's where they learn swearing from. If a cussword slips out while they're around, best is to not make an issue of it and just move on with life.

Relux47 · Answer

Kids that I work with really be saying things that aren’t they supposed to say. A majority of the time I’m going to correct them “like oh you don’t say that or you can’t say that” the worst thing I’ve heard a kid say was stupid. I usually worked with the little kids so they never really said anything worse than that. I can’t imagine what the big kids would say and I’m glad that I’ll never know

Alwayreckles93 · Answer

If it was my kid I would asked them where did they hear that word from and then correct them and explain why we don't swear. If it's someone else kid I just give them the side eye.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm more likely to talk to the parent about it, and let them either correct it or ignore it if they're a piece of shit. :D But depends on the situation. If the kid is using the language to insult/bully other kids I'll end that crap in a heartbeat, but if it's just random conversational swears, yeah, give the parents a heads up in case they have no idea what their kid is like.

Peenshake · Answer

little bro around that same age was watching my grandpa and I lift a huge bulky sewing machine up into his truck. As we struggled and physically strained, little bro goes "ohh shiet" and my grandma right next to him nearly pees herself. Anyway I only have problems with excessive cussing. It's not needed. I'd only keep my kids from overdoing. I'd rather teach them to fully express their feelings in a full ridiculous phrase. Like a true Scottsman or Irish. Even a true southerner. Be creative with your feeling. Cussing sums it up too lazily.

Hans222 · Answer

A Desi, otherwise you get a kid that curses from the morning to the evening. Once they start to find it "cool" you're in trouble 😩🙈. So take action before that moment comes!

Mamaganja · Answer

I have a three year old and she’s tripped over something and will say shit or fuck and I always correct her but will laugh about it later on with my sisters/mom.

qwert1234 · Answer

Correct them. Learning begins at an early age. Kids, despite their tornado-like behavior, is very observant on this stage. What you feed on their brains will be their basis growing up.

TrueConfection · Answer

My daughter was 12 when she asked me, "What's an F-bomb? Is that something that actually explodes?" 😂

Jaximus-Lion · Answer

I will teach them, they will learn soon or later. Learn from me or! Learn it from a stranger? From me of course

Wiredone · Answer

When my kids were younger and they said a curse word we immediately corrected them. I never did it to other people's kids because it's not my place to say anything. I would however tell them that was not nice to say.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

I grew up in nice middle-class suburbia, there were no swear words used in our house or in friends' houses. When we heard children using them in elementary school, it matched their general behavior and appearance and we pretty much knew to stay away. I would not tolerate children using foul language.

TheorionMage · Answer

I clearly remember the FIRST time I naively used the epithet 'jackoff' in front of my parents... they asked me if I knew what that meant. It did NOT go well for me.
The trope of washing one's mouth out with soap is NOT fiction.
Fortunately it was IVORY soap ~

Nick473 · Answer

I would definitely correct them. I believe words influence our heart and our heart influence our words. I just dont think its good for a kid to get into and they could be thankful later when they realize how there heart will shape there life

SlightlyEccentric · Answer

I would tell them not to say those words unless you know what they mean and when they should be used. As in like don't say them at school for example.

Smashingdoozy · Answer

Id tell them that they can only use the word where appropriate and it's not to be used outside of the house. Mostly because I don't want my kids getting in trouble for saying a word. I don't care if they swear, swearing isn't bad, can't expect kids not to swear when they will hear it all. the time.

worldscolide · Answer

My mom used to make me swallow dish soap... Fuck that.. I will correct them but i will never be that extreme.

whosnumber1 · Answer

you are the parent. responsible to explain right and wrong. what's acceptable and what's not. they need to be corrected

Morgador · Answer

Yeah, you have to put them in there place. I'm not going to make them take a bite of a bar soap and swallow it like my mom did me lol

scary0 · Answer

I tell my little cousin (either 5 or 6) she can only cuss when we're in my car and if she says something nice first. Keeps her from cussing when we're in the stores 😆

How the ride goes:
(To me) you look so pretty today.
(To her sister): you're so fucking ugly.

It's entertaining to me so oh well.

pink_and_inlove · Answer

I’d correct them even though that would make me a hypocrite lol

kellytheman · Answer

For me it depends how old they are and where we are at. If the kid is like 5 and younger and in the privacy are home I might let it go but if they are olde I would tell them to not swear and explain why it's a bad word and give them a little timeout. If they do it in front of my parent or there grandparents or in public I would also correct them if at any age.

TallAnon · Answer

Not my kid, not my problem. If my kid did it, I would just explain that those words could upset someone and show them that being nice is much better.

Slatt · Answer

Definitely correct them. I don't like disrespect. Not from anyone especially a child. Kids now days are lucky cuz if they grew up in my Era there teeth would be missing

Wise4myage · Answer

They need to corrected because they have no idea of the meaning of cuss words.

lightbulb27 · Answer

talk it out and try to redirect and evaluate the feelings. sometimes laugh. limited in what I can do, their father is training them to express emotion that way.

FakeName123 · Answer

I don't really care. I actually find it funny if small kids have a foul mouth. Plus I have one myself.

Apple1996 · Answer

For my own kids I let them cuss at home. They do know better then to say it when we are out or at school. If it's other people's kids I could care less

Lyndsielee666 · Answer

Eh. If my kids use it in the correct context I won’t correct it but just blurting out cuss words or calling anyone a cuss words gets them in trouble.

MTC29 · Answer

As a child, getting my mouth washed out with soap cured me of cursing, at least within earshot of my mother... who had excellent hearing!

Cherry234 · Answer

I wouldn't say anything. I don't want to get involved

MadBoy · Answer

I'd ask them not to do that, but it ain't my kid so whatever I guess. ... Besides, they're gonna be using that language later on in their life anyways.

Archerer · Answer

I don't think swearing is bad, and if you make it seem bad they will only get worse or use it worse. Many studies show swearing helps relieve stress, makes you more honest, and empathetic.

SCDivinitySoul · Answer

If they are super young I'd just laugh it off, if they are around 4-14 normally I get on to them for saying such things.

KieranByrne · Answer

We had soap in the mouth, soon learned! I can swear often now I am older, and use a lot of words I shouldn't!

Pink2000 · Answer

I correct them. But when I did it when I was a kid my family laughed it off.

Anpu23 · Answer

As cute as it is, you have to correct it

Mehzmeh · Answer

I was allowed to curse/swear (cussin is not a word lol). As long as it was in the right context. And not at school or around my grandmother.

Riddler1412 · Answer

Correct them, and tell them it's not nice.

Anonymous · Answer

It’s really none of my business what people do with their kids.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Correct them. Using foul language is disgusting and for poorly educated people.

clampfan101 · Answer

Correct them. I’d be doing their parents a favor.

najekim · Answer

With my daughter it depended on the context. Most the time I just just told her that's not a word you're old enough to say.

Snakeyes7 · Answer

Depends on the context. I'd let it slide if they're quoting someone.

vduong1988 · Answer

Kids shouldn’t not say bad word I have nephew saying bad word he got in trouble

the_sinner · Answer

If someone’s laughing it off then they need to correct themselves.

Hulk30 · Answer

when ya can actually show me in the holy bible where cussin is sinful then ill get offended by it

Anonymous · Answer

I don't mind other families business. I definitely am different from you people.

mimi051998 · Answer

I would correct them.

the_sinner · Answer

If someone’s laughing it off then they need to correct themselves.

postaldudePL123 · Answer

I don't coz they will learn it eventually. Early or late, but it's inevitable.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I would correct them

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Not my kid, not my problem.

Phoenix98 · Answer

It’s not ok.

JosyJosy · Answer

laugh and correct

soe11 · Answer

Will correct them with best possible way.

IronsKev · Answer

Both but I can't help Laughing

legalboxers · Answer

oh hell to the fuck no

When kids start cursing at an early age, do you correct them or laugh it off?

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