Toddler Cursing

[Victor]

The other day my 2 year old dropped his ice cream on the floor and out came "oh popoo" except it was the more derogatory version of it. My wife and I looked at each other like this ---->
We gently told him to not say that word and have been trying our best to get rid of it.
Now my aunt who is going on her 50's takes care of our kids. And in the house is my cousin who is 22 and without getting into to many details she is a "spicy Latina". Cusses like no tomomrow and could care less what you think. So I'm in the middle of trying to fix my boys language and I'm pretty certain he heard it from my cousin. So I have to decide whether I really want to duke it out with her. I know how she reacts and she is the type of girl that will fight men. SHE DON'T CARE. All you veteran mommies and daddies have any words of wisdom?

~Victor

[Ormiston]

Originally Posted by Victor

The other day my 2 year old dropped his ice cream on the floor and out came "oh popoo" except it was the more derogatory version of it. My wife and I looked at each other like this ---->
We gently told him to not say that word and have been trying our best to get rid of it.
Now my aunt who is going on her 50's takes care of our kids. And in the house is my cousin who is 22 and without getting into to many details she is a "spicy Latina". Cusses like no tomomrow and could care less what you think. So I'm in the middle of trying to fix my boys language and I'm pretty certain he heard it from my cousin. So I have to decide whether I really want to duke it out with her. I know how she reacts and she is the type of girl that will fight men. SHE DON'T CARE. All you veteran mommies and daddies have any words of wisdom?

~Victor

These are the toughest problems, IMO. My inlaws smoke like chimneys and I always had trouble approaching them. I think you should bring it up and try to set some rules for when your child is there. I avoided many of the issues and regret it now.

[dawny0826]

The best thing is probably to confront your cousin and your Aunt...as carefully and lovingly as possible.

If your cousin is overly confrontational...she's not going to hear you anyway but it's probably still a good idea to amicably let her know that you don't want to disrespect her in any way...you just don't want your little boys picking up curse words. Regardless of any attitude on her part, that's not an unreasonable request.

And then at home, with the boys...convey to them that the words that come out of your cousin's mouth aren't good words and even if they hear grown ups use them...it doesn't make them okay to use.

Believe it or not...if you can't get through to your cousin and/or Aunt...you'll probably have great luck with your children.

Best of luck.

[Victor]

Thanks Ormiston.

Dawny, my boys are 1 and 2 years old. Trying to explain things takes patience. As I'm sure you know with your adorable babies.

I didn't want to work against ourselves when my 2 year old keeps on hearing cuss words from her auntie. A peaceful confrontation with my cousin is not something I honestly forsee. So I will approach them but I fear that my cousin wont FREAKIN LISTEN.

[nutshell]

Why would you want a cussing confrontational person who fights to live with you and influence your children? They're number 1. Get rid of the cousin. She's 22. She needs to be on her own, don't you think?

[dawny0826]

Originally Posted by Victor

Thanks Ormiston.

Dawny, my boys are 1 and 2 years old. Trying to explain things takes patience. As I'm sure you know with your adorable babies.

I didn't want to work against ourselves when my 2 year old keeps on hearing cuss words from her auntie. A peaceful confrontation with my cousin is not something I honestly forsee. So I will approach them but I fear that my cousin wont FREAKIN LISTEN.

Sorry about that, Victor. I was thinking they were a little older. Yeah, explaining things to a 1 and 2 year old is different. (They're precious, btw)

This is a toughie. Could your Aunt talk some sense into her?

Wishing you the best.

[Green Gaia]

Hmm... don't have any advice about the cousin, that's a toughy. But most parents have dealt with a colorful word coming out of their little angel's mouth at one time or another. Unless he says it again (and he probably will), I wouldn't say anything about it. When he does say it again, don't overreact, don't scream or laugh or start yelling, (reactions are attention, and he'll do it again just to get the attention, good or bad) just in a very calm but stern voice say, "We don't use that word, please don't say it again. It's not a nice word." And leave it at that. Be patient and don't get upset with him, he's just parroting what he hears like all kids do.

[Quoth The Raven]

Originally Posted by nutshell

Why would you want a cussing confrontational person who fights to live with you and influence your children? They're number 1. Get rid of the cousin. She's 22. She needs to be on her own, don't you think?

Ah, I think the cousin lives with Victor's aunt, who I would assume is her mother. It would be a little rude of him to demand she leave her own house.

Honestly, it wont last. My other half and I are shockers sometimes when it comes to language, and aside from the usual,'How far can I push this?' when they were toddlers, none of them swear.

[frg001]

Honestly, as a newish dad of a 6 month old, I think I'd just have a good old laugh, and sorta let them know that it's not too cool as they get old enough to understand... They'll hear it soon enough from peers anyhow.