Swearing Cures: 7 Ways to Stop Your Kids from #!*@% | Parenting

We generally equate childhood with innocence, so it can come as quite a shock when a foul word escapes from the mouth of our sweet little darling. Though “vocabulary experimenting” is typical, (after all, a big way our kids learn is by imitating others and there’s a lot of profanity for kids to hear these days -- from movies, to CDs, to television, and public places – 60[i] percent of adults admit they swear in public.

Regardless of the prevalence, it certainly doesn’t mean you should allow profanity to become part of your children’s everyday vocabulary. Swearing can become a hard to break habit that taints children’s reputations, breaks down their character, and ruins family harmony. And once kids are allowed to swear, their habit goes public. And there’s the problem.

The use of vulgarity is increasing: more than 80 percent of Americans feel vulgarity is getting worse. Educators say the use of swearing and obscene gestures has increased dramatically on school campuses.

Here are just a few troublesome findings:

Educators are so exasperated that some high schools now fine students if they utter profanity on school premises.

59 percent of teachers in urban schools and 40 percent in rural areas said they face daily swearing and obscene gestures from students.

A USA Today poll of high school principals found that 89 percent regularly deal with profane language and provocative insults toward teachers or other students.

But now the good news: Schools are taking active measures to curb student swearing and bring back those glorious virtues of respect and courtesy.

New “No Cussing Club” Movement at Schools

There is a positive new student movement brewing: high school campuses are instituting “No Cussing Clubs.” There are now early 100 registered clubs nationwide. So far, 50,000 people have pledged through www.no-cussing to clean up their language.

The original “No Cussing Club” was founded in Pasadena, California in 2007 by McKay Hatch, a 14-year old who was fed up with peer swearing. (There’s a kid who deserves a CNN American Hero nomination, eh?)

So far, ninety students in Palm Desert High School in Southern California signed a pledge in June to start a club at their high school. Once those school doors open, every Friday, students will be wearing orange club T-shirts to school and represent a positive force on that campus. Other high schools are putting jars around campuses and asking kids who cuss to drop in a coin. The money will be donated to local charities.

I applaud the efforts of those teachers and students to restore civility to their campuses. Let’s also make sure we instate No Cuss Clubs in our own homes. The best way to stop swearing is to nip it in the bud from the get go, and teach your child healthier ways to vent their frustrations.

“Stop Cussing” at Home Solutions

Here are a few parenting strategies from my book, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions that you might wish to consider employing in your home. Remember, changing any habit takes commitment and time. Stick with your commitment. This makeover is all about nurturing respect and civility.

1. Curb Your Tongue

Be honest. Are you at all responsible for your child’s new raunchy vocabulary? If so, put a restraining order on any older sibling or adult in your home who is swearing.

2. Have Value Talks

Talk to your child about your family values and explain why you object to such language. “I know other people may use those words in their homes, but we don’t in ours.” “Those are words that can hurt people’s feelings. I expect you to always want to say and do things that make people feel good.”

3. Establish Your House as “No Swear” Zone

Set a rule that “no swearing” is allowed in your home. Just be clear with all family members which words are considered “off limits” and then be follow through on your rule (mom and dad –as well as their adult friends—must obey the home standards.

4. Offer Appropriate Word Substitutes

If your child swears to let off steam, doesn’t know an appropriate way to vent, it may be time for a family brainstorm session to find swear words alternates. Just identify the word your child may not say and then think of other word options. Then use it until it becomes a habit.

5. Reinforce “Cuss-Control” Efforts

Do acknowledge any efforts your child is making to stop the swearing. “I know that you were frustrated, but you didn’t swear that time. It’s hard changing a bad habit, but you’re really trying.”

6. Set a Consequence If Problem Continues

If you’ve been clear with your expectations, yet the swearing still continues, then it’s time to set a consequence. Here are things to do for “repeat offenders.”

• Create a swear jar. Each time the child (and any member of the family—dad and mom as well) swears he is fined and must put a set amount of money in a jar. When filled, donate the money to a charity of your choice. For kids short on money, post a list of chores that can be done to work off the fine. Do not loan your child money to pay off the fine. It will defeat the purpose.
• Lose a privilege. “If you can’t talk nicely in the family room, you will go to your room.” Or lose a privilege. “If you can’t talk appropriately in this house, you will not be able to use your cell phone.”
• Learn a new word: My favorite consequence is to make the offender use the dictionary to look up a more appropriate word to replace the offensive one. The child must then use the word at least ten (or some set amount) times during the day and could also be required to write to word on an index card to teach to other family members. Not only are you eliminating curse words but you’re also increasing your child’s vocabulary skills.

7. Stay On Top of the Ratings Game

Studies show the media does affect our children’s values, language and behavior. A Florida State University study found that profanity during prime time hours has increased 58[v] percent in four years – nearly nine out of 10 those programs contained profane words. So check those advisory ratings carefully listed on those CDs, DVDs, television shows, video games, and movies and then be clear to your child which ratings are unacceptable to your family values.

Here is a quick review of the four ratings and how language is portrayed in each category:

G No cursing, but some crude language is fine if it’s considered to be an everyday expression.

PG - Minimal profanity (expect words like ass, damn, crap, and even shit), but not the F-word or other harsh, sexually driven words.

PG13 - The F-word can be used only once—but not at all if it’s used in a sexual context… unless a two-thirds majority of the raters think it’s okay because of how the word is used.

R - Hard language. Should be off-limits if you’re eliminating profanity.

A 40 year-old dad from Orange County told me at one of my parent workshops: “My son accidentally left his CD in the car stereo that was loaded with the F-word. That evening we went through his CD collection. If any CD had a Parental Advisory label, it was dumped, as well as inappropriate songs from his MP3 player. I told him to expect a random CD check every so often. He finally got the message that our family didn’t approve of that kind of language.” 

Yay, Dad!