Hello!

My children seem to swear often , to the point where my daughter called the teacher a bitch. How can I stop this from happening.


Want more real mum questions sent to you?

You'll need to check this email to complete your signup.
  • Stop swearing yourself. (I say as an uncontrollable swearer… but its true).


  • Don’t swear your self, don’t let them watch anything where there is swearing, consequences


  • Just like with any bad behaviour, they need to have some sort of punishment to deter them from doing it anymore. Take away toys/TV time etc. Whatever works for you. Are the exposed to swearing?


  • Consequences. By the time kids get to school age they need to know that all actions have consequences weather good or bad.

    Sit down and have a family discussion about swearing and how it is offensive etc etc…. Then set the penalties AND STICK TO THEM. Don’t just threaten them. I think it needs to hit them where it hurts so to speak. If your LO loves a certain toy(lego/barbies) take them away. Not just for an hour or so but for a day. If they swear again then it goes for double the time. You can even do no parties that they are invited to, favourite clothing item, no tv, no dessert etc. they will learn. Unfortunately we can be the worst offenders as they learn it from parents or if they have learnt it from school find out from who and have a little chat to the teacher to keep an ear out for it.

    But kick the habit early is my advise.


  • Would depend on their ages for consequences but most importantly role modelling is vital. Looking at what language they are being exposed to from all sources and discuss in an age appropriate way why you don’t like swearing. Good for opening up discussion on values too.


  • My 11 going on 21 yr old daughter started getting a attitude problem and started swearing so i started taking things off her till she earnt them back. The first time she did it i took her charger and you could see the anxiety kicking i n as her phone started to die..lol, Then i took her favourite runner away another time and she had to wear a old daggy pair to school for a few days. Now when she gets a bit ‘bitchy’ i say to her “how charged is your phone” and she pulls up. Good luck.


  • I need answers too!


  • What we consequently try to do is: *set the right example, no swearing ourselves *teach your kids not to swear and explain it is rude and not respectful behaviour *correct them when they do it *correct kids who come over the floor in your house and swear as well *switch off television programs or things they watch on the computer/laptop which contain swearing *brainstorm with your kids about alternative words they can use instead of the swearing words


  • I swear by having a swear jar! My boys didn’t like parting with their pocket money! They are now introducing into their own families!


  • When you know please post the answer :)


  • Children learn from modelling and from consequences for inappropriate behaviour such as swearing. Consequences may be the loss of age appropriate rewards such as pocket money, TV time, etc or putting some pocket money into a swear jar, etc and then donating that money to charity. There are rules for taking to teachers and adults and maybe discuss this again with your child.


  • I think it depends upon the age and the child. For young children (0-5) it is best if they never hear swearing but if they do, and happen to repeat a bad word, then ignoring it can do the trick (otherwise making a fuss just gives attention and reinforces doing it). Older children (5-10) should probably be challenged with reasons and be told that certain words are offensive and should not be said to others (and its poor social skills if they do) and they should also know that there is always a better way of explaining themselves and how they are feeling etc. and that swearing wont help get what they want from other people. Teenagers and pre-teens should also be challenged and informed that swearing represents poor social skills, is offensive, doesn’t help them get what they want or manage their emotions in an acceptable way. Consequences are appropriate for those children who can understand and persist in using bad language. For those who have genuine problems with appropriate expressive language, dealing with their emotions and asserting themselves in a non-offensive way, a psychologist / speech therapist might help. Swearing does have long term consequences since the emotional trigger causing offensive, aggressive words to be used, needs to be addressed and people put back in control, so stress and ill-health do not ensure. If you can control your tongue you’re in a better position to identify the underlying emotions and frustrations etc. that trigger the swearing, speak appropriately and get what you want from a situation.


  • Swearing to common. Heard on the radio and other media each day what’s become of our society.


  • It is a bit like the saying ‘monkey see monkey do” in this case what they hear they repat especially when my kids were young swear words. I used to wash their mouth with soap (what a tyrant I was then but my mum had done it to me) I relised this ot OK and found words like ‘biscuits and bottletops when I was angry they laughed and started using my silly sayings.In right tone it has same effect on kids when young.Unfortunatly swear worrds are every where in songs,tv and movies so hard one but not neccesary. I also used to say that people whoswore did not have good vocabullary so used them out of context.. Adults now and the boys do swear but still I say not OK for me. My youngest son and partner, I have noticed she does not swear but he does, adult now but i still give him the LOOK!


  • Explain that that is not how a good child acts and saying thoose words will have punishment.. Sadly the child must of picked the word up somewhere so stop everyone around the kids using such language… I know i have at times used F####n H@LL around my kids with out thinking.. That was till my 3 year old started saying it perfectly. Kids pick everything up even when you think they are not around to hear..


Post your reply
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your answer and join MoM:

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join