A mom writes in asking for advice about her two-and-a-half-year-old toddler daughter. She says her daughter has recently started cursing and using swear words (the f-word and the s-word, specifically) when she drops something or is told “no.” This mom admits that her daughter almost definitely learned the language from her, as she uses those words sometimes herself. But how does she put an end to this behavior and retrain her daughter not to use those words?
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A member of the community asks:
“What should I do about my toddler cursing?
Hello, my question is, my two and a half-year-old daughter curses. She says the f-word and s-word. She does use it in the right context. If she drops something, she says it then, or if I tell her no, she might say it or if she falls.
I’m not going to lie, if I drop something or stub my toe I say one of the curses. But I’m trying to stop now that she copies lol. Any tips to get her to stop? Or should I just let it go? She’s not cursing at anybody or calling names… I tell her, don’t say that but any advice?”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Who Wants to Stop Her Toddler Daughter from Cursing
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“I tell my girls that they are mommy and daddy words. I’m my house there is nothing wrong with swearing, but they are not old enough to use them. Then I try to tell them something more age-appropriate that they can say. They are 2 and 4.”
“We tell our girls they are grownup words, but if they choose to use them at home, as long as they aren’t directed at a person, then it is ok. Just can’t use it outside if the home. Honestly, to us, they are just words, and context of use is more important than the actual word. My girls don’t swear though, except when they have mimicked. I feel like the bigger the deal you make, the more they want to do it.”
“Don’t make a big deal AND everyone that is around the baby needs to STOP cursing because she is hearing it somewhere.”
“I just told my kids that they’re not bad words but adult words and when they become adults they can say them all they want. They slip up sometimes but I just say “that’s an adult word” and they say sorry.”
“I mean, I curse in front of my kids sometimes. They have never repeated them except maybe once or twice and I told them they were grown-up words and if they ever said that I’m school they would get in big trouble. Haven’t had a problem since. My kids are 7 and 3. But I’m not going to punish my kids or take away their toys if they do say it because they very obviously would have learned it from ME. Maybe somebody should take away my stuff when I curse. Maybe then I’ll learn a lesson lol.”
“Quit cussing in front of her. It’s very inappropriate for a 2-year-old to cuss. Parent.”
“Kids that age repeat everything. If you don’t want them to say it don’t let them hear it. My son started saying oh crap. It stopped being said at home and he stopped.”
“There are things adults do that kids shouldn’t. I just started early telling them which things were for adults and which aren’t. Be consistent and give toddler-friendly options for them to say.”
“Model better vocabulary in her presence. She is mimicking you. You are her teacher of appropriate words. If you use others she will forget these and come up with better words herself.”
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