Your kids and cursing - how's it work in your house?

[LeeH]

I was in the Navy. Enough said about my exposure to cursing. I put my foot down with my teenage daughter long ago and told her if I ever hear any four letter words trickle out of her mouth that I would remove any source of media (TV, movies, video games) that might have suggested to her that it's ok. And, no, there's no double standard. I don't curse around her.

I don't expect her to grow up never having uttered a curse word, but want to instill in her that there ARE places and situations where dropping an F bomb could lead to lost opportunities. Those could be lost relationships, professional advancement, etc.

What's your policy with your kids?

[fastfredracing]

My boy dropped the f bomb on his first day of Kindergarten.

[HardDrive]

My daughter is 11. I let her get away with dropping an F bomb on occasion. But I have also impressed upon her that despite the rather blue language she hears from her parents, that is not what many people want to hear. I think there is the very real danger of alienating potential friends, mates, and employers with a foul language.

[nzporsche944s2]

We don't allow it in our house (18yo boy, 17yo boy, 7yo girl).

My wife and I don't use it in their presence and they would be severely punsihed if they used in ours.

On the otherhand when it is just my wife and I we can be quite "colourful" with our language but never in front of the kids

[JavaBrewer]

We would be hypocrites. Moderation, timing, effect.

[A930Rocket]

I never cursed in front of the kids, but Mrs Rocket did some times. Between that and high school, they've learned to curse some what. At 20 and 21, it doesn't bother me as much, but I do ask why they cuss.

[wdfifteen]

My grandkids don't curse in my house and I don't believe it allowed in their homes. Their ages are 9 to 14.

[masraum]

Well, they are in their 30s now, but no, not when they were in the house. I think, they did get away with "crap", but that's it. I know they do now, and they do occasionally let stuff out when they are with us. We only very rarely do it around each other.

[Oh Haha]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

We would be hypocrites. Moderation, timing, effect.

Same here. I am guilty most times as my wife has to be REALLY mad to use curse words.

[cashflyer]

When I was a child, my dad cursed non-stop but wouldn't hesitate to beat the crap out of me if I uttered a curse word. "Darned" was about as blue as I could pass.

Many years later now, I curse a mean streak at home, work, the grocery, the DMV, ... Okay, just about everywhere I go - but not around my parents. Ever.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

My grandkids don't curse in my house and I don't believe it allowed in their homes. Their ages are 9 to 14.

Same here, ZERO tolerance policy. My wife and I don't, and neither will he, at least not under my roof. I was trying to fix my RV this weekend at a campsite and said "shoot!" That's his new favorite word, so I'm sensitive on what he picks up from us.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

.....Many years later now, I curse a mean streak at home, work, the grocery, the DMV, ... Okay, just about everywhere I go - but not around my parents. Ever.

Don't think my parents have ever heard me curse, but thanks to my college buddies from NYC years ago, I've developed over the years....WTF ?

[Dantilla]

We've always said our home should be a peaceful oasis away from all the crap we're exposed to in the world.

[mikester]

We're amish.

[CarreraDan]

My parents never really made a big deal over using the occasional curse word in an appropriate situation. I do believe there is a time and place for it but you need to be mindful of who is listening. Interestingly, you bring up missed opportunities due to bad language. A very qualified guy I work with has been passed over for multiple promotions as he uses f-bombs in most of his sentences. He is from Philly and I guess it is common where he is from, it is not tolerated in the Bible Belt and I have told him multiple times to tone it down as patients and family members are not impressed. Just last week I had another MD ask what his problem was, it is going to lead to serious disciplinary action at some point but he keeps on f-bombing away.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I learned every four-letter word I know from my grandmother.

This was at my grandparents' 75th wedding anniversary. She'll turn 97 this year. Still, I tell my kids to keep their mouths under control outside of the house, because some people don't like to hear "bad words".

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by mikester

We're amish.

That doesn't seem to slow down my flathat friends in Holmes County (Ohio). I do a lot of business with them. They don't drive, but they sure know how to cuss.

"Holmes County houses the highest percentage of Amish of any U.S. county, currently 42 percent of the population, and experts speculate that within 15 years Holmes County may be the first majority Amish county. The overall Amish population of the area, centered on Holmes County, is the largest Amish community in the world."

[mikester]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

That doesn't seem to slow down my flathat friends in Holmes County (Ohio). I do a lot of business with them. They don't drive, but they sure know how to cuss.

"Holmes County houses the highest percentage of Amish of any U.S. county, currently 42 percent of the population, and experts speculate that within 15 years Holmes County may be the first majority Amish county. The overall Amish population of the area, centered on Holmes County, is the largest Amish community in the world."

I was kidding. I dropped an f-bomb this weekend but it was warranted. Some karate pants were found exactly where they were supposed to be after having been looked for by every member of the family for the last two weeks all over and around the house and cars. We figured they were with the socks. I forgot they were missing and we needed two pairs of pants saturday morning since both boys were going to karate at the same time. Of course they forgot they were missing (as had I) so we're frantically looking for them...

Texted wife and she reminded me they were missing.

I check the closet where they are usually hung up and that's where they were.

What the f!

We try, we're pretty good. My 10 year old can let it rip surprisingly well. He didn't learn that from me as I've never done that around him but he was pretty upset one day after some friends were pretty unfriendly to him at a party...

Anyway. Not Amish.

[wdfifteen]

I may be an old curmudgeon but I put a lot of stock in decorum. Using appropriate language and dress is an expression of respect for yourself as well as those around you. I took my son and grandson to a nice restaurant in NYC last winter. The boy (11yrs old) was going to wear his ball cap in the restaurant. I had a talk with him and I think he kind of got it.
I am appalled by the way people dress in public any more. Girls wear flip flops, wife beaters, and flannel pajama bottoms everywhere. Maybe OK on the street or a trip to Lowes, but in a decent restaurant or movie theater? An entire girl's softball team came into the breakfast buffet at a La Quinta hotel I stayed in recently - all in their PJs and bare feet like it was a sleepover at someone's house. Sure, all those swingin' boobs and perky nipples were fun to watch, but I was trying to read USA Today dammit - which was free by the way. Titillate me at an appropriate time and place please. I wish young people would just Get off My Lawn.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by mikester

I was kidding.

I know, I was yankin' your chain.

Originally Posted by mikester

I dropped an f-bomb this weekend but it was warranted. Some karate pants were found exactly where they were supposed to be after having been looked for by every member of the family for the last two weeks all over and around the house and cars. We figured they were with the socks. I forgot they were missing and we needed two pairs of pants saturday morning since both boys were going to karate at the same time. Of course they forgot they were missing (as had I) so we're frantically looking for them...

Texted wife and she reminded me they were missing.

I check the closet where they are usually hung up and that's where they were.

What the f!

I'm pretty sure I have a couple of cracked teeth from situations like that. I just clamp my mouth shut for fear of what might come out.