On Monday I picked Laura up from preschool. After we had the usual Q & A session about her day, she said “Mommy…you know what?” (long pause) “Russ said butt.” What exactly was I supposed to say to that? I was trying not to laugh my own butt off! So I gathered myself (a lot easier when we’re in the car and she can’t see my face) and said that that was not a nice thing to say. Laura could not have agreed more. Still, she told me about Russ’ new favorite word several more times that afternoon.
In the grand scheme of things, “butt” is pretty harmless. That being said, I don’t want it in my children’s standard vocabulary. They know the words they are not supposed to say. At this point in their lives that includes stupid, hate, dumb and shut up. The last one is on TV a LOT. I didn’t realize how much until it became an issue. We do not use that phrase and the girls have only said it once or twice but they hear it more than I’d like.
The funny part is that the girls think it’s their duty to tell us whenever a word on the “do not say” list is uttered. I thought Laura was going to have a conniption waiting for me to get out of the bathroom this morning so she could tell me that someone had said a bad word. They have become the curse cops. They have also associated saying bad words with people who are not nice. This mostly pertains to Hattie, the kindergartner. There are several little boys in her class at school who are bad in general. The majority of the boys in her class (and a couple of the girls) are not sweet little children. But there are a couple that are bad. No other word will suffice. These are the ones who wait for the teacher to turn her back before they throw out their favorite swear word. Hattie thinks this is repulsive. Fine by me. If she can learn to stay away from this type early, she may save herself some heartbreak later on!
So for now I am doing my best not to laugh in my daughters’ faces as they tattle on the latest swearer. And watch every word I say….the cops are out there!!
