Help! My toddler cusses :( What can i do?

Question

My 2 year old little boy started saying "f*ck!" at every opportunity.. now though he says it when hes extremely frustrated e.g in the supermarket when he doesnt get on the ride on toys or if hes not getting his way, infact even if he drops something he will sigh and say the F word. His automatic response has also become "shut up!" i have to admit i am less than careful with swearing around him but since he's started i have made an effort to curb the potty mouth. As for the shut up he really does say it to everyone and even screams the F word out in supermarkets when hes not getting his way. What can i do to stop this behaviour? Help!

Answer 1

first off....lesson learned. you now know that you have to watch every word that comes out of your mouth and the TV and everyone else that is around your child.

eventually, he will phase this out. next time he says "shut up" then sternly tell him that we don't say things like that to people and next time he says it he will get a time out. if he says it again, then he gets a time out. like he has to go sit on the naughty step. make the last step in your house the "naughty step" and that's where he goes for time out.
if he gets up...which he will, then you pick him up and put him back on the step.
once you feel he's been there long enough to understand, then let him up.
same with the f word.
however, he is also doing this out of shock value. i'm sure he likes the reaction you give him everytime he says these things.

so, you want to enforce that "we don't say these things" and the time outs but also a bit of ignoring too.

hope this helps.
take care.

Answer 2

DO NOT pop him in the mouth as others here has suggested. No one pops YOU in your mouth when you say it. And you obviously say it quite a bit since he knows exactly when to use it. He learned this behavior from you, so I say it's totally your fault that he talks that way. The only way he'll stop is if YOU stop. Personally, I don't use that kind of language at all, and I don't like to be spoken to by others who talk that way. I think it shows a level of ignorance when someone says the "F" word every other word. Good luck on re-training him and you to speak in a more acceptable manner!

Answer 3

Tell him it's not appropriate, but don't make it seem like it's a huge crisis either, or he'll see he gets attention and just say it more. Corner time is good, and if you are in a store, don't be afraid to tell him that if he does that, you will leave immediately. Then, follow through on it! If he says it in a store, take him, your own items, and walk out. Don't purchase what you have selected, don't wait, just go. We've found that these things work way, way better than any spankings can.

I don't buy that you can't ever say those words or your kids will say it. My stepdaughter would never, ever say those words, and her dad has tourette's syndrome, so she does hear them regularly. They simply need to understand that those are grown up words.

Answer 4

you do no longer say how old your toddler is that could make a distinction. you're acceptable the 1st element you are able to desire to do isn't enable cussing in front of a youngster. next forget approximately appropriate to the cussing and don't react to it. If he gets no reaction he will give up asserting it. Even by utilising punishing him you're reacting. solid success

Answer 5

my 2 1/2 year old daughter is doing the same thing, I taught her that the words she says are bad words and with bad words come a punishment either a slap on the hands or a spanking. Maybe you dont hit your child but all I have to say is pick whatever the punishment is going to be a stick with it, be consistant. Good luck

Answer 6

Curb your efforts? Why not, as an adult and an obvious role model to your child - stop cussing altogether? If you can't, then don't expect him to do it either.
Once you get your act together, then try to redirect him with his words (find another word in it's place) and let him know he cannot say that particular word and that it is not a nice word and can be hurtful and therefore he is not allowed to say it and if he does he will have a punishment (timeout...or whatever).

Answer 7

Most importantly, you can't say it yourself!
Make sure you provide a serious punishment each time he uses it (like no TV for a day or taking away a favorite toy for an hour). You have to stick to it, so that each time he curses, he gets the same punishment. That way, he knows the consequences. Eventually, he'll just get tired of never seeing a favorite toy or being able to watch TV. You just have to be strict about it.

Answer 8

Aw, I'm sorry! I think boys are more apt to curse. I don't, only when I am mad, my daughters father ALWAYS says the "F" word, daily! I mean like easily 30 times! It's HORRIBLE, I just don't get why he does it! ANYWAY! It's so frustrating! Luckily my daughter hasn't said it at all, one time she dropped something and said "damn*t". It was funny though. I think you need to tell him for starters that they are not nice words for him to say, sometimes bribing is OK, tell him if he goes shopping with you and he doesn't say the no-no word, he can ride on a ride, as long as he keeps saying it, he will never ride again!

Answer 9

Apparently I used to do the George Carlin when I was a toddler. My mother told me she was instructed by her doc to just plain ignore my swearing....and it worked!
I use this tactic with my 3y/o boy for his bad behaviour....fits are rare, he doesn't swear and he doesn't fight me much for his way(he is far from perfect though). They just want attention...and if they don't get it they will stop.
Another thing that may work is to praise his good behaviour along with ignoring the bad....toddlers are smart, he'll figure it out eventually. Consistency is key.
Good luck!

Answer 10

I had this issue with my nephew. He was cussing before he could walk. He always call me a B*tch. A little pop on the hand when he says it and a little tone in your voice telling him " You better not say it again" will change all that. Trust me I have already broken this habit.