So it has finally happened. Although our family doesn't curse (at least regularly), my 2.5 year old has started saying "oh sh*t" in the correct context! At first, I was puzzled as to what I was hearing because we don't really curse at home but then I figured out that when we DO curse, it's because of something unexpected and quick (ie. almost collidiing into a car while driving, bumping into the corner of a table) so my toddler knows exactly when and how to use this word. Sigh. Now the question is, how do I get him to stop it?? Everytime he says it, we've been correcting him by saying "oh shoot" and hoping he thinks he's just mispronouncing it. lol. What else can I do?? I'm so mortified!
Thanks everyone for the advice! And the funny stories! They're so cute aren't they? lol :)
I ignored my son when he said it..He eventually stopped. They pick up anything, and use it. Start using funny words, and laugh when they say them instead. ignore when they use the bad words. Eventually they will want you to react with the funny words instead..
Oh sh$t! That's bad! Lol.
Yes, correct your own curse to "Oh shoot!" and corrects his too. (if you are ok with him using it) Of course do this like you are correcting other words he mispronounces....like it's not a big deal.
You can also tell him that it is a grown-up word and shouldn't be said by littles. When he says it, remind him. If he keeps saying it (on purpose), give him a time-out.
There are worse things....really. :)
you just remind him that we dont say that. then make sure you dont say it either. say oh shoot! or yikes!! tell him to say oh man!!!
my daughter started saying oh my god! all the time and i said that its not good to say that and to say oh my gosh. she now corrects us when we slip. she did say the s,f and hell words but it never lasted.
The exact same thing happened over here. When the car would stop suddenly I would hear a little voice from the the backseat saying "Oh, Sh-t!" and then again recently regarding an unexpected surprise. We just ignore it and try to mind our words. He stoped saying it in the car about 6 months ago and the most recent one, I am hoping is just a fluke!
I would try giving him something fun and silly to say instead. Even something nonsensical that is more fun to say than sh*t. Seriously - oh shoot isn't anymore fun to say than oh sh*t and that one gets a reaction. If you don't make a big deal about the actual word, he will eventually drop it.
Toddlers are parrots.
They all go through this.
The problem isn't "how to get him to stop it."
The way to handle it is: just be honest. So that, the child learns about it, and that adults make mistakes too.
You just tell the child. Directly.
Tell him it is a naughty word. YOU apologize for saying it and tell him you made a mistake. That you try your best. Then you tell him to do the same.
It is an "adult" word, not for children.
Then you TELL him, that for frustrations or whatnot, to make up "funny" names for it. This is what I tell my kids who are 5 and 9.
They say things like "Oh popcorn!" or "Fuzz brain" or "Shazbot" etc.
Whatever works and is funny than the typical curse words.
I have said the "F" word myself to myself, when irked.
My son LATER... like weeks later, said it too when he was mad. I asked him why he said that word and he said "Because you said that before..." So then I simply apologized, told him I was wrong and Mommy made a mistake and I should have used a different word, and he did know via common sense, that it is a naughty word.
No biggie.
At least, my kids don't swear in school!
The thing is, kids WILL learn what words are bad words. They may experiment with it for a little bit. But they know, because you teach them. But, when adults say it... be prepared for the child to correct YOU. That is what my kids do. If/when I mistakenly swear... under my breath... when I am irked.
My aunt was bathing her granddaughter, and dropped the soap, and exclaimed "holy moly". GD without missing a beat said, "mama says oh sh!t".
gotta love em.
F. B.
just tell him... no don't say that. Add on its a naughty word if you want to.
Ignore it and soon enough he will be on to the the next catch phrase and hopefully its a better one! lol
I don't know how to make him stop, but if it makes you feel any better I have a funny story. A friend of mine told me she was at a friend's house who has an 18 month old. The baby was sitting in his high chair, eating a bagel. He dropped a piece and leaned over staring at for awhile, obviously wishing he could reach it. Then he just said, "Awww, f_ _ _ it." and went back to whatever else was still on the tray.
Correct yourself and keep saying "oh shoot". Ignore his comments, other than to say "Oh, do you need help? You can say 'help me!' " if that is appropriate to the situation.
Years ago I nannied for a woman with a foul mouth. Her son had a speech impediment and used a lot of 'h' sounds at the beginning of many words. When some people rudely 'waked' their house on the water (floating home-- waking rocks the entire house) he went out on the porch and yelled at the passing boat "HUCK HOO, HOO HASS-HOES!" (say it aloud if you need translation) and flipped them the bird, just like mom. I was mortified but everyone else was just amused and confused...
Our twins great grandma says oh sh#t! alot and out 2yo twins have picked it up. Its a domino effect. When one says it the other one will. testing boundaries is a thing of beauty.lol We all have to learn about cursing eventually. Hope you can teach him to say ohhh potato or something!! lol That's what we have done... but we all know what they are REALLY saying hehe.. good luck!! Thanks for lightening my day!!
K.
facebook.com/littlebumpies
I agree with S.H. - tell him it's a bad word and he's not to use it. I really don't get it. Some of you have guilt for not telling kids that there is no Santa, but you won't tell your child that sh*t is a bad word!
