Hi

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stop a 3 year old from swearing (usually the "F" word).

Lately he has been getting really bad, I have tried disciplining him by sending to bedroom or withholding treats/toys etc but nothing seems to work.

Leanne

I think that the more attention he gets for saying it, and the more that he sees it annoys you, the more he will keep using the word.

Whenever he says it, I would calmly say to him "We don't use that word in this house. Please don't say it". If you don't make a big deal about it, he will more than likely not see any need to use it anymore if he's not getting any reaction from you.

Also make sure that no-one else is swearing around him, otherwise he is going to assume that it's normal language.

when my 2 picked up a few words from DC we just told them that they are grown up words and that when they are a grown up they can say them. Also gave them an acceptable word to say for whatever they wanted to express, ie: "gee whizz" with a foot stomp iykwim. This worked well for us as we werent actually saying no.

good luck with it.

I had the same problem with DD who is 3.5 yo saying b***h alot, I just ignored it as she thought it was funny. I think she has forgotten about it now, because it's boring when nobody reacts

No help here! DS is 4.5 years and has been saying "this is f*cken, or you are being a f*cken " ( don't know how the "en" became attached to end of the word! ) for the past year. We have tried heaps of things...toys packed away, DVD's gone, miss out on outings, time out, loud firm voice saying no we don't say that, quiet chat about acceptable words, trying to give him alternative words to use, and finally ignoring!!!!! All of which have NOT worked.

The joys of it all hey!

Lou

when my DD picked up a few words from DH of all people I ignored her, she wanted a reaction out of me the less attention i paid to it the faster she became bored with it. I made sure the first few times i told her they where bad words. Glad the only word DS has picked up i wish he didnt is stupid

its a hard one when you seem to have tried everything and he still wont stop.
I guess like any behavior you want to stop just keep on telling him that its not a word we use but dont get too wound up by it and sooner or later he will move on. hopefully by the time nana comes to visit!

my then just three year old announced "c-nt" at the dinner table one night, i think he knew it was a naughty word and I think me and DHs jaws falling to the floor was an entertaining reaction but weve never heard it again thank goodness. I had to go and speak with the director of the childcare centre though.

its funny once but you obviously have an ongoing problem. best of luck.

We had/have an issue with DSwho is 4 using some very choice words at times, and usually when it is appropriate

I was sick of him saying jesus christ last week every 5 seconds so I said to him of you do it again im going to wash your mouth out with soap.

So yep he said it again, I got a tiny bit of soap and rubbed in his mouth, to which he was laughing hysterically, then when DH came in so see what was going on he said to him "She washedmy mouth out with F^^king soap!!"

Well hmm that one did not work to well!

we are having similar trouble with our ds who is only 2yrs 3 months. he uses the f word in the right context (not often thankfully) and used to say the s word....we just say to him "we dont swear, its naughty, say "oh goodness" instead"...it got him to stop saying the s word so now im hoping it works for the f word too.

i agree that giving them the attention for it doesnt help, ds usually laughs at me when i react to it.

good luck!