Hi everyone,
I have never posted on this part of the forum before but I've read some of the posts. My 2 and half year old son has a real problem with swearing. Admittedly some of the swear words he uses he has heard at home, though I have made a real effort not to swear around him (and can honestly say hand on heart I have NEVER sworn AT him) it's not always easy and you live and learn... But some of them are from outside influences and he only had to hear them once and he knew he shouldn't say them so he did!!... Now I thought he had grown out of this as he hadn't said any swear words for a long time. The naughty chair and time outs seemed to be working until about a week or two ago. Suddenly his behaviour has taken a turn for the worse. He has a very bad temper and when he gets angry for whatever reason (and sometimes the tiniest thing will flip him out) he shouts and swears at the top of his voice and even timeouts won't stop him he will sit on the naughty chair and shout expletives. I am not proud of the fact that my son swears and he is such a cutie you wouldn't believe such blue language came from someone so adorable. I find the whole thing really embarrassing, especially when he does it in public, some people just stare but others are not afraid to tell you what they think of your lack of parenting skills and your childs swearing. I was just wondering, as we seem to be getting somewhere with the naughty chair in the house has anyone got any ideas for what we can do about this behaviour when we're out in public? He's too young to understand if we threaten him with the naughty chair when he gets home he can't remember that far back and I'm really getting to the point where I don't want to go out with him at all and don't want people to come round to visit because because I'm scared of what he's going to do. Any and all ideas welcome. Thanks for reading anyway xx

I don't have any advice as my LO isn't at that stage yet...but I wanted to say that I really don't think that anyone worth their salt will judge you for your child's language. It's like when people get all judgemental because your child's having a tantrum in a public place. People who have kids know these things invariably happen and like you say, it only takes them hearing it once. I hope other people have some better advice I just wanted to say 'don't feel bad'

Thanks hun! Was almost scared to read any replies lol. You're right though most of the people who have said nasty things about me and Charlie's behaviour either don't seem to have children, or their children are in their forties now and they probably just don't remember what it was like having a temperamental 2 year old to contend with!! And as for people staring... Well I suppose they are just shocked. Honestly with his blonde hair and blue eyes he looks like butter wouldn't melt and boy can looks ever be deceiving?! Thanks so much for your lovely reply, I've been told he will stop doing it when I stop being so upset by it... Lol maybe that's why he stopped for a while cos I got so used to it I didn't react so much and now it's upsetting me again but I feel like I've tried everything and nothing works!! Kids hey?xxxx

Have you tried ignoring it? he may be doing it for the reaction

I suppose we've only half tried this one. If we completely ignore him when he does it he just gets louder and shouts even more swearwords to be sure he can be heard and then I usually get embarrassed and feel like I have to do something... Also the dirty looks I get tend to be worse when I ignore him cos they're like.... Doesn't even care her child swears. I suppose I need to give this one a proper try and stick with it no matter what. Will let you know if it works.xxxx

I would definately recommend ignoring it, he is doing it for a reaction and I would just ignore him and if he carries on I would say mommy is not looking at ___ now because he is being naughty and carry on what you are doing. I did this with my son who is younger and it really helped, it was not for swearing but for biting. he hated that i was actively ignoring him.

i dont have children yet but maybe try the ignoring at home first, that way it will be easier than in public? when he starts just ignore him, continue watching tv, go wash the dishes anything to try and keep your mind off of him. And believe me i dont have children, and i wouldnt judge you hun

Thanks hun i'm definitely going to put this into action now have got everything crossed this works. I do think he does it because he gets a guaranteed reaction, but sometimes he does it in anger and I think that will be harder to resolve cos he just needs to learn to control his temper. Have started teaching him to take deep breaths in through his nose and out through his mouth if I see him getting worked up, angry or upset and this does help some of the time xxx

Awww thanks hun yeah it's definitely going to take some practice just me and him before we try ignoring him in public!! Thanks for not judging and you know the people who do judge me who don't have children I just try to smile on the inside and tell myself they'll get theirs lol!! Maybe if/when they have a child theirs will behave worse and that will teach them!!

hiya hun i have just seen this - and whilst i see you have lots of very good advice - i thoughti would say something ref the anger !!

My son went through a stage of anger/frustration and for him i used to sit with him and say are you angry (so he knew what it was called) and then would suggest take a deep breath and blow it away - i know this sounds silly and perhaps it was just a distraction but he has not had the issue since - and i have caught him doing it himself when frustrated - "just blow it away" he says and takes a deep breath ...

Just a thought anyways xxx and no judging here - thats for sure xxx