My 8 year old SAID THE WORD?

Question

used the "C" word today,,, i was in such shock, that I almost lost my teeth. he said he herd it at school....and the older kids to him it was a good word,,, i did explainto him it was a VERY bad word. should I have used soap in the mouth? i just made him go to his room, until (I could calm down) he used it in anger at his little brother.

Answer 1

ah i doubt he knows what it means, soap in the mouth is totally not needed, its not right, you did the right thing there. in fact i'll put money on that he doesn't know what it means, and if the older kids said it then he proberly did trust them, just talk to them, my mates 5 year old said the F word the other day but he just talked to him and he hasn't said it since so just being rational would be good

Answer 2

You can't technically be mad at him, because he didn't know better. if he did hear it at school, then you need to casually, not argumentatively bring it up to the teacher. That way, she can either address it with the older kids teacher and then talk to the other students about word choices.

Washing his mouth out will make him dislike you. You have given him the warning, lay it out in a calm tone again about how a word like that is rude, disrespectful, etc. If he uses it again, then you can take appropriate disciplinary action.

Also, make sure the TV programming is not to 'risky' for him. I am guessing that at 8, he is in the third grade? He shouldn't be watching much after 9:00 anyway. They do hear it on TV on shows that they think are funny. Then when they get in trouble, they blame it on school because that is the easy out.

Answer 3

Sound like you did just fine. He didn't know, he 's only 8 and when older kids tell them things they believe them. Just make sure that he understands what a bad word that is and you should be fine. If he uses it again warn him that you will punish him the next time and then if he does punish him. Liquid soap works better than bar soap.

Answer 4

He didn't know what it meant, so don't hold it against him...too much. I mean he did parrot the word. So grounding him to his room will suffice for now, as well as a stern talk about the word and other words that are just as bad.

Just let him know that he shouldn't use the word, but otherwise you did the right thing by not blowing up on him.

I hope I could help in some way.

Answer 5

the poor kid! don't punish him for ignorance! he did not know any better. this age group will say new words when they hear them, and they believe their peers about everything. actually if u make too big a deal, he may become w/drawn and not as likely to be open and use free speech around u. i would rather my child use a word in front of me so that i have the opportunity to discuss it w/him rather than him use it away from me w/out my knowledge. i usually just calmly and i mean calmly, explain that the word is an adult word and that it usually hurts people's feelings. i would explain that it is not acceptable in ur house and that sometimes he'll hear kids say things. tell him not to use a word if he does not know what it means...just ask mom or dad about it and we will tell u if it is bad or okay to use! kids r so easily taken in by things. u r lucky because he is at an age where u can talk and reason w/him w/little argument. most kids this age r naturally curious and he will like u explaining things to him. at this age, he doesn't want to do anything that would embarass u or himself. keep an open line of communication even though u may find some things shocking. it just may be the one thing that gives u a door to keep ur kid out of trouble later on especially in adolescense. for ex.....drugs, alcohol, smoking, premarital sex etc. believe me! u do not want to punish him, u want to communicate w/him ur expectations.

Answer 6

No. Soap in the mouth is so primitive. Its all about reward and punishment. He obviously doesn't care that its a bad word because, Hey! all you did was get mad, and send him to his room...big deal, All of his stuff is probably in there!

Now, If and when he says that word again, let him know that you mean business. Remove some of his most prized stuff, If he tests you, don't stand for it, keep on taking stuff (after all YOU bought them and YOU are the parent!)

What happens when he still continues you ask?

Well this measure needs more coordination. Take for instance, he may test you even more because he knows A. you wont do anything to him because you bought it and B you still have it in the house.

Let him know that if he continues, you will give hem away to kids who deserve it.

Final test. If he still continues, put that stuff in your car and haul them somewhere (work, relatives house etc. somewhere safe tho')

If he stops before this all happens, don't be so quick to give him back his stuff, let him earn it. That way he knows that there is a consequence for every action!

Answer 7

He probably honestly didn't know how bad it was to use this word.
Let him know that it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I wouldn't punish him anymore this time and would not use the soap in the mouth as he did not know, but if the word ever comes out again pull that soap right out.

Good luck, and prepare yourself, this is just the first in the long line of things your child will say that will leave you stunned.

Answer 8

Tell him not to use words til he fully understands what the word means from you. If he never heard you use it, don't say it. Except what the teacher teaches at school. Tell him not to hang out with those older kids. They are no good doers.

Answer 9

And what are you going to do when you first hear him use the big F word. Yes unfortunately he will hear it in school and he will more likeley than not use it either in front of you or behind your back. ake a reality check on life. Sorry but these things happen.

Answer 10

I remember using a naughty word when I was about that age, simply because I didn't know it was a swear word or what it meant. My mother was angry with me at first but calmed down when she realized my ignorance.