My son is cussing but doesn't mean to?

Question

I tell my son when I am scolding him "that's ridiculous, you have to clean up your room...!" and now he says "that's diculous!," but it sounds like "that's dickless." Should I stop him from saying that or should I not even let him know that he is saying a bad word

he's 3 yrs old

Answer 1

My oldest has a speech delay and what I've learned is that all you have to do when they mispronounce a word, is repeat it back to them correctly, without drawing attention to it. So if he says "that's dickless" (and BTW, that's kinda funny) You just say " You think that's ridiculous, huh?". it sounds so simple but it DOES work and the other benefit is that if other people are around then you can translate what he's really trying to say.

Answer 2

He's not actually saying a bad word. He's just mis-pronouncing a word. It will run it's course. Don't tell him not to it say b/c you don't want him to quit trying to talk all together. Just help him pronounce it when he says it wrong. If he says "it's dickless" you just mimic back--"I know you think it's ridiculous, but it has to be done." Eventually, he'll start saying it the correct way.

If you point out the error, instead of stopping talking and feeling criticized, he may start using it in the bad way just for attention. So, either way--just keep doing what you are doing and he'll eventually get the pronunciation correct.

Answer 3

He isnt saying a bad word, it just sounds like it a little. I wouldnt worry about it right now he just cant pronounce it right most people would find that cute :) If you are really worried you can try slowly pronouncing it and having him repeat after you. The only problem with that is if you break it n syllabals its Ri - dick- u -lous. You can try rid-ic-u-lous if you are worried about the first one. But I dont think its a really big deal he will get it soon enough.

Answer 4

How old is he? If he's a little guy, then just tell him that's not what REdiculous means. Try giving him new words to use like "OH MAN!"

If he's older than 7, then simply tell him that it sounds like foul language and that he should find a new word to use.

Answer 5

Just teach him how to pronounce words correctly. He isn't saying a bad word, so don't treat him like he is. People know he just can't pronounce things right.

Answer 6

Try and break the work down and have him say it back to you. Does he have a lisp, that can be corrected with some speech lesson that are avalible through his school.

Answer 7

hey my 3 yr old daughter has a problem with c's.. So she says her words with t's.. instead of cookie its tookie, so you can imagine when she says kittie.. Don't worry... and don't make a big deal about..I thinks its really cute and I wrote it down in her baby book! =)

Answer 8

I wouldn't dare try to explain it to him. That might encourage it even more. If anyone is nearby, you could just tell them what he is saying if you are concerned about what they are thinking. My three year old calls kitty cats titty tats. If that is the worst thing they are saying, I guess we are lucky!

Answer 9

Just keep annunciating the "r" sound. He'll catch on - if you make a big deal out of it he'll keep saying it the wrong way. LOL, though...

Answer 10

That's not cursing. That's just trying to repeat what you are saying. If you don't like him saying it, you need to say something different to him and ignore it when he says "dickulous." It isn't cursing though. Relax.