Q&A for How to Stop Children from Swearing

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Why does my 5 year old keep swearing?

Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed.
Parent Educator & Coach
Kathy Slattengren is a Parent Educator and Coach and the Founder of Priceless Parenting. With over two decades of experience, Kathy specializes in helping parents build strong, loving relationships with their children. She has helped thousands of parents around the world through Priceless Parenting's online classes, presentations, coaching, and books. Kathy holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Psychology from The University of Minnesota and a Masters degree in Education and Instructional Design from The University of Washington. Kathy is a member of the National Parenting Education Network, the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children, the International Society for Technology in Education, and a founding member of Parent Learning Link. Priceless Parenting has been featured on ABC News, Komo News, King 5 News, National PTA, Parent Map, and Inspire Me Today.

Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed.

Parent Educator & Coach

Expert Answer

They might overhear you swearing and try to copy you. With this in mind, always try to model clean language when your child is around.

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Question

What do you do when your child says the F word?

Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed.
Parent Educator & Coach
Kathy Slattengren is a Parent Educator and Coach and the Founder of Priceless Parenting. With over two decades of experience, Kathy specializes in helping parents build strong, loving relationships with their children. She has helped thousands of parents around the world through Priceless Parenting's online classes, presentations, coaching, and books. Kathy holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Psychology from The University of Minnesota and a Masters degree in Education and Instructional Design from The University of Washington. Kathy is a member of the National Parenting Education Network, the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children, the International Society for Technology in Education, and a founding member of Parent Learning Link. Priceless Parenting has been featured on ABC News, Komo News, King 5 News, National PTA, Parent Map, and Inspire Me Today.

Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed.

Parent Educator & Coach

Expert Answer

Say something like "That word is inappropriate to use because people get really offended by it."

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Question

What should you do if your child swears at you?

Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed.
Parent Educator & Coach
Kathy Slattengren is a Parent Educator and Coach and the Founder of Priceless Parenting. With over two decades of experience, Kathy specializes in helping parents build strong, loving relationships with their children. She has helped thousands of parents around the world through Priceless Parenting's online classes, presentations, coaching, and books. Kathy holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Psychology from The University of Minnesota and a Masters degree in Education and Instructional Design from The University of Washington. Kathy is a member of the National Parenting Education Network, the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children, the International Society for Technology in Education, and a founding member of Parent Learning Link. Priceless Parenting has been featured on ABC News, Komo News, King 5 News, National PTA, Parent Map, and Inspire Me Today.

Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed.

Parent Educator & Coach

Expert Answer

Remind your child that you'll only talk with them when they're being courteous and respectful.

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Question

What should I do with a sensitive 15-year-old who swore unknowingly, but then learnt that she had sworn, felt guilty, and then apologized?

Louisa

Community Answer

Make sure they know that you understand the situation, and that understanding which words cause offense and fixing the issue is a sign of maturity. Talking about it is better than allowing them to feel guilty in silence.

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Question

What if my child doesn't listen when I talk to them calmly, and they don't take the issue seriously?

Community Answer

There should be consequences when your child is not listening to you or doing something you don't like. Take away something they care about as punishment - their phone or other device, TV time, time with friends, etc. Once they see that they can't get away with bad behavior, they'll probably start being more respectful of your rules.

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Question

If you catch your child swearing at you, should you put soap in his/her mouth, or is it toxic and old school habit?

Jocelyn Zhou

Community Answer

You should never put soap in your child’s mouth, as soap has a lot of chemicals that are harmful. Please don’t do that

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Question

What do I do if my six year old daughter is using the f word repeatedly even when I tell her not to?

Cutefluffybunny

Community Answer

It's best to start by trying to understand why your child is swearing. If you know why, it can help you decide on the best way to respond. If your child is swearing because it gets your attention or a strong reaction from you, it's best to respond by ignoring the swearing completely.

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Question

What do I do if my six-year-old daughter is using the f word over and over again even when I tell her not to?

Community Answer

Withhold toys and other privileges or send her into "time out" (isolation).

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