Stop Cursing!!!

Updated on October 21, 2011
E.J. asks from Lincoln, NE
17 answers

I'm trying to stop cursing. As in anything that I wouldn't say around an elementary student is unacceptable. I thought, okay, so I do curse, but I don't think I do it that bad. I thought I can afford to fix this.

Holy smokes!! I curse more than I think!!! I burned my hand this morning making breakfast and said a f bomb. I was complaining about my ex to my friend and it was a-hole, jack---, etc. I told myself that I'm making good steps b/c now I am aware of my cursing problems. It will definitely help me not to curse to know that I am doing it.

So... any tips to help me stop? Just keep practicing and thinking about it? This is only day 1, but I really want to kick this bad habit!!

You Mamas have a point that it can flare up around others! I became a bit self aware of this when my 6 year old informed me that I curse more when I'm around a specific friend. So... I figure if he's noticed then I must need to kick this in the bum! :-)

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B.B.

answers from Portland on

I called another driver a Jackass last night when he cut me off. My 5 yo son pipes up from the back, "Mom, what's a jackass?" I told him it is a word that we shouldn't use and that I shouldn't have said it. My son says, "I won't use it because I don't know how to spell it mom." At least I have another year or two before he learns how to spell it, then what? :) My potty mouth usually only comes out in the car. My son said his first bad word, damn-it, after hearing me shout it at another car when he was probably 18mo old.

2 moms found this helpful
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L.V.

answers from Dallas on

A professor of mine back when I was in college had us throw paper balls at him whenever he would cuss in class. It was great fun, and it was really quick! Perhaps you have a willing partner in crime? I would have no shortage of volunteers if I asked people to do that. LOL Good luck! Bad habits are hard to break!

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J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I have never cursed like a truck driver around them but I have always cursed in front of my kids. Aside from the great preschool "bastard" incident they have never repeated anything I have said. :)

You could make up fake swear words. That makes them laugh as well. :p

5 moms found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

I curse in Chinese.

Talk about satisfying. The tonality and invective could peel paint. Not to mention, some of the translations are HILARIOUS (frog humping son of a).

Arabic is another good one. Blindness!

I'm considering Swedish. I think Swedish has potential for truly satisfying expletives. Because right there, is the line. It has to be satisfying, and one NEEDS expletives in their lives. Even if it's 'just' Doggone or Shut the Front Door. ((You're not allowed to swear in bootcamp. I cannot tell you what it's like to be out in the real world and have 'doggone!' actually get used with feeling. It makes your brain twitch.))

Too many people understand German, French, & Spanish.

Also, I add a dollar to my son's jar every time I swear in English.

((Haha @ JoW... "the great preschool bastard incident"))

5 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

When I want to swear - I take a deep breath - then I say something like Tartar Sauce or Flapping Jack...yes, Tartar Sauce is from Spongebob - but it works.

I typically don't swear. I may say "a$$" every once in a while to my kids...they know I'm pissed then...over all ? It's get your butt in gear...

Try Tartar Sauce, apple jacks, pineapples, something than a swear word! YOU CAN DO IT!!

4 moms found this helpful

✤.J.

answers from Dover on

Eh, I curse when I need to (which is on a pretty regular basis). My kids have heard them all, but are not allowed to use them because I'm the adult & they're the kids. I do not curse AT my kids ever, but otherwise I generally let it fly.

3 moms found this helpful

D.D.

answers from Phoenix on

Haha. That is so funny. I curse(d) too because, and this may sound strange, but I enjoy colorful language. But conversely, when people cuss around me, I often find it quite obnoxious. My husband doesn't cuss and I wouldn't have married him if he did!

So what to do? Replace. Like what the ****? No, what in the WORLD?
Or Holy ****? Holy guacamole or Holy cow. Stuff like that.

Make it fun! Try to think of fun ways to eliminate those bad words.

Good luck!

The only time I cuss now is when I am around a fellow cusser, usually a single person and my old habit sneaks back in.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Something I need to stop doing too...

2 moms found this helpful
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L..

answers from Roanoke on

Here's what's helped me: I curse when I need to.

Sometimes it's just better. I can't substitute words, because they mean nothing to me, you know? Kind of similar to..why would I drink a TON of diet soda, when I could have a little regular soda once in a while? Weird example, I guess. But once I decided I'd curse when I needed to, I don't do it all the time. I can ask "where are my shoes?" without cursing, but if I stub my toe, I let a few slip out, and immediately I feel better (I've actually read studies that show that people who curse have a higher tolerance for pain). Anyway, it's helped me lay off a bit. But I'm not f***kin' perfect. :)

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A.K.

answers from Phoenix on

Good luck. I have same problem. Atleast you are self aware. I haven't any tips but I will watch this. I'm not sure I'm ready to fix my problem. I feel I can usually manage my mouth but lately have been slipping more often. I have had a work history , where cursing is the norm & very much tolerated. As I've made the transition to being a SAHM, it's been difficult to break.

2 moms found this helpful

J.B.

answers from Houston on

I use the word 'tartar sauce' instead of cursing. the kids get it and some of you will.... ;)

2 moms found this helpful

G.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I do too at times. Mostly I stick with "Daggumit"...or "Bad Words" I say those in replacement of the others. :-D I do goof up though...It's hard.

I was hanging around with this one girl a long time ago and she had a potty mouth from hell. I noticed I started talking like her and I ended up saying the F word in front of my mother! OYE! Right then and there I knew I needed to find a way to stop.

If your friends have the same habit, you can ask that they support you and perhaps change the way they talk as well. It will certainly help the process. :-)

2 moms found this helpful

H.V.

answers from Cleveland on

One thing I started doing, was instead of a curse word I would say some other jibberish word

For Instance..instead of using the F word..I started say "flip"
or instead of cusing like crazy I would just say something that didnt make any sense lol

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I say "dammit" a lot.
But I don't consider that a true curse word.
Good thing, my kids don't copy me.

BUT... once I said, when I was just furious and having a bad day, I said "F**k it!" And then well... my son, like a week later, started saying that. My Husband was all wondering WHERE he picked up that word. So I had to tell him it was from me.
I used to swear a lot more, before I had kids.

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Interjections!
Show excitement!
Or emotion!
Was always one of my favorite School House Rock songs.

Here's the most exhaustive list I could find.
Granted, a few are some of the curse words you are trying to replace but you can see there are LOTS of alternatives!

http://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Engli...

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Phoenix on

haha! i need to do this as well....my hubby is in construction and these guys cuss alot. So on bad days when he looks at me and calls me potty mouth I must be pretty bad.

Our 3 year old has started asking "what you say mom/dad" anytime we use a cuss word around him now LOL That alone is working for us both actually...I don't want to be questioned by my kid anymore :)

Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

You have already taken the first step, you are aware of it. I too found it would depend on who I was with. Since having my daughter and step kids around I no longer curse, except when I am really angry. I called my hubby a jacka** in front of his son once. My stepson thought is was funny he was 18 at the time. My hubby likes to tease me and I can only take so much sometimes.

1 mom found this helpful
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