i can't get my 2 year old to stop swearing. any suggestions?

Amanda - posted on 05/12/2010

NEVER USE SOAP! It has been proven that soap in the mouth can cause very serious problems, ie vomiting, diarrhea, irritation of mouth and digestive tract, and pulmonary aspiration. It is like putting poison in there mouth. Some states and provinces will arrest you with child endangerment if they find out. You wouldn't want it in your mouth if you were told it could hurt you would you?

Mel - posted on 05/12/2010

The best way to deal with these sorts of issues is to jump on them straight away, so that every time he swears he's reprimanded, or ignore it completely. If he gets no attention when he does this or is reprimanded every time he will be less likely to carry on with the behaviour. When you let him get away with it sometimes but not others he will be more likely to continue with the behaviour. Also, if he is doing it for the attention he gets from you, even if it's negative attention, consider reinforcing with positive attention when he does something good. Then he'll be less likely to 'act out' for the attention.

Stephanie - posted on 05/12/2010

Ignoring it really works. My 5 yaer old would come home from his dad's house with a new word every time he went there. I tried everything, but it only got worse. Last spring I took a wonderful parenting class called The Incredible Years, and in that course they really spend time teaching you to ignore your child in a good way. It is actually rather simple. When he says a bad word just ignore him completely, and when he makes a good choice and says a nicer word respond with praise and tell him that you like his words. At that age they eat up all the praise they can get, it's like candy to them. Remember more than anything we are models for our children. They wil do exactly as they see and hear us do.

Sarah - posted on 05/12/2010

yes just ignore, dont do soap!

Sarah - posted on 05/12/2010

soap in the mouth worked for me

Amanda - posted on 05/01/2010

Ignore it. They are looking for the reaction that they get out of you. To them it is only a copy word. They have no idea what it means. Tell your kid that it is bad word and that it is very wrong to say it, but you will also have to stop. Try the swear jar, worked when I was a kid. Anyone who came to visit also had to put money in it. Just don't give them any reaction, that is all they are looking for. Don't even look at them when they say it.

Ashton - posted on 05/01/2010

I know how you feel, my 19 month old daughter drops the occasional F bomb and says the S word here and there...I hope someone has some good advice for you and I!