Toddler Started Cursing

My husband is a Marine and when we met I lived with a Sailor in NYC and was a bartender at the time. Needless to say we had a really hard time discontinuing our language issues once children came into our lives. It wasn't till my son picked up the F word and in no uncertain terms began using it properly and often, that we learned to watch our mouths. We ignored it and it went away. We have since gone through a few words, my mom taught him the Sh word and my MIL taught him GD, which he used at the mall yesterday in a very loud voice. I just ignore the cursing so it doesnt seem as interesting. As he gets older and understands more, Ill explain it better to him.

i have 2 boys. who have picked up those lovely words from other children/parents. the only advise i have is to ignore it. don't even look at her when she says it. it's very hard especially when in public but the sooner she relizes no reaction she will stop on her own. i hope it all ends soon for you untill a new word comes up!!!
good luck!

Where would she be picking up language like that? You are right to say that you can't control other people's language. I'm concerned that the people who are in your daughter's path don't think it's a big deal to swear in front of your child - and that has to be considered.

I was a party girl and my husband was a true hippy. We liked to drink, we loved to party and our language was less than desirable. But when I found out i was pregnant something changed deep inside me. I decided no more smoking, no more partying and I knew I could live with out the colorful language. My husband gladly agree to go along. He still kept his pony tail for about 14 more years but every thing else in our lives changed.
Needless to say most of our friends are no longer friends at their choice but that is OK we have many new friends that see things the way we do.
Our son is now 17 years old (new high school graduate) and is planning to go into the ministry. We think our making the decision to do away with the colorful langage, the drinking, the smoking, etc. was the best thing we ever did for ourselves and our son. He never wants to hang out, never goes out partying and would rather be sit around with friends talking and playing video games.
The skinny of it all is children mimic what they hear. You may choose to stop the colorful language but if your 2 year old is still exposed to it he will continue to talk like that and it will continue into his school years because there is lots of colorful language coming from other students at school.
I think if your parents will not stop thinking of themselves and start thinking of what they would like for their grandchild I would find a different sitter.
I know that your mom watching your 2 year old is really nice of your mother but your have to think of your little one and what do you want for him in the future.
Please do not punish you 2 year old for what he has learned from someone he looks up to.

S.

I let everyone (neighbors and family members) know that if they swear in front of my children they have to pay them a dollar. I taught my children that grown ups sometimes say bad words that they shouldn't and if tey think they hear one they can let me know. It's amazing how creative adults can get when they need to. i had a neighbor tell me "I am in my driveway so I can say what I want." He walked over to ours and swore and when he realized it he was embarrased but paid the dollar. This approach allows for some humor and feeds the kids piggy banks.

I saw the posting thta said don't punish your child for something learned from another... but i think the issue is a consequence for not listening to you. If a child learned to hit from another child, we'd still give consequences when they hit. I've read the best thing todo w swearing is to completely ignor it and give no reaction at all