Skip to main navigation Skip to content
Please enter a search term

Dealing with swear words

Dealing with swear words

My 2.5 year old has recently started swearing. The blame lies with me BUT I have since reduced how much I swear a great deal. What’s the easiest way to deal with this and let him know it isn’t okay?

I always think 'but for the grace of god go I' when I read about parents having trouble with swearing, it's pure chance my children don't swear. There are lots of gentle ways to approach this, and these strategies will change as your son ages. You've already taken the first step, you've stopped swearing around him. Four letter words are just like longer ones, if he doesn't hear the word 'intransigence' he won't use it!

It's too late to go back and fix the initial reaction. However you first reacted, it is usually a strong response that encourages him to use the word again.

A good way to start controlling the behaviour is to use a re-direction phrase like, "that word is offensive, it's not a word you should use".

Another way to redirect is to say, "it sounds like you're very frustrated, but you should choose another word?" or, "did you just say [an innocuous word that sounds a bit like the word he's used]?".

You'll also need alternative words such as "gosh", "dang", "damn" or whatever other words you feel comfortable with him using and model them in stressful situations.

Remember why children swear, it's the same reasons we do. Research suggests swearing releases tension and has pain reduction tendencies. It has emotional connection benefits and helps us manage our feelings. If our feelings aren't expressed, they don't go away, they come out in other ways. So, we have to let our children express their anger. Are you likely to stop completely? I know I'm not, nothing expresses my feelings like a good old fastioned curse word and it's better than hitting something!

Maybe, as he gets older, it's a good idea to monitor and manage the swearing, rather than trying to stamp it out altogether. So, remind him that there's people it's okay to swear around, and places it doesn't matter, and those it's not. Try to curb his desire to swear in public and keep it as an 'at home' and 'between us' thing, Grandma may not approve!

Dr Rebecca English

Dr Rebecca English

Lecturer, Faculty of Education (QUT)

See more

Other questions about this topic

Is time-out okay for kids?

I’ve always understood that time-out was a reasonable way to deal with behaviour issues. Now I’m seeing some articles suggesting that time-out has had its day. Is time-out OK and if not, what’s the alternative?

When to start reading to children

When should you start reading to your child and for how long? My baby was born 6 weeks ago and I’ve started reading to him but my family thinks it’s crazy.

Learning to follow directions

I have a 3.5-year-old who won’t listen to anything. We both just end up getting upset. I'm concerned that she will face problems in preschool if she won’t start following directions.

Help! My child is biting other children

I’m so embarrassed but my child care provider called me in to say my two-year-old has been biting other children. I hate to think what the other parents must be thinking. What do I do?

Preparing a toddler for a new baby

My toddler isn’t happy about the arrival of our second child. How do I prepare my child for the birth a new baby?