How do I stop 3 year old from using foul language?

Question

I have tried time outs, spanking, and ignoring. He has also learned to tolerate hot sauce and soap. Every time he doesnt get his way, he spouts off F-bombs, and G'D's like a pro. We also don't let him hear bad language as much as possible. We even told him they were "grown up" words. I have 2 other boys and neither of them went through this stage, so I don't know what is left to do.

Answer 1

As difficult as it is to hear those kind of words coming from such an adorable little tot, the best thing to do is to ignore them. He doesn't know what he's saying but he does know that those words get mommy's attention. Good or bad, attention is attention and they want it. If you don't make a big issue of it, chances are he'll move on to other issues.

Answer 2

K, first of all..Hot sauce and soap?!!? Don't you think that's a bit...DRAMATIC?!?! I NEVER resorted to disciplinary actions like those!! To me that's abuse because hot sauce will burn an adults mouth good enough, think about what it does to a child! Idiot! I give my kids alternate words, oh my goodness, darn it, stinkin thing, what the heck, holy cow. I don't know. it's worked for me for my 7 & 8 year olds. 3 year olds don't know what the difference between 'child words' and 'grown up words' are. They're much too young to understand certain things. Persistence is the key. They're going to hear 'bad' words everywhere, you can't help that, let them know there's other words that can be used.

Answer 3

Boy sees boy do. You are the source... where else?
It should start from you by not using those words no matter what.
He is seeking attention. You make a big deal, he knows he gets the attention. It is a stage. Just ignore because he does not know what it means except he knows it gets mommy angry. He will try anything to taunt you. It is an innocent mind. He will forget it as fast he learned the bad things.

Answer 4

Sometimes the best thing to do in a situation like this is to just ignore him when he is saying these words. He sees a reaction when he says them. My dd had said a few bad words one time and I had made a big deal out of it and she thought it was the funniest thing and continued to say it over and over and wouldn't stop so, when she said it again I acted like I didn't even hear her and she looked at me and said it again and when she realized that I wasn't upset by it she just stopped on her own. So try to ignore it and maybe he will stop.

Answer 5

Where is he learning this language? Keep him away from the people using it. Ignoring it actually works better then giving him attention. Using hot sauce is considered child abuse by the way.

Answer 6

Keep hounding him to be kind with words, its a never ending
process which leads into teen yrs.
They pick up alot of cursing from the schoolbuses these days.
Tell him....no cartoons if u keep saying bad words.
Find him positive activities like drawing, playdoe, punchin empty egg cartons, scissors and magazines do wonders.

Answer 7

You know he's only doing this because it ticks you off, right?
If I were you I would just ignore him. I mean, silent-treatment him every time he uses such a word. Pretend he didn't say anything at all. Eventually he'll cut it out when it's not getting a funny reaction out of you anymore.

Answer 8

Lead by example. Don't use foul language yourself. All you can do is reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. It is never easy raising children, but you can't give up. It won't be perfect, but sooner or later, he'll get it.

Answer 9

Make his life miserable. Take away everything he enjoys and don't allow him to have fun with the family until he can control his mouth.

If that doesn't work-get creative. Get a man to chastise him-it is something about that bass in their voice that puts fear in a child.

Answer 10

He learned it somewhere. Make sure you aren't using it in front of him or watching shows that use those words.

Try giving him alternative words to use. Instead of punishing him, try rewarding him for good behavior.