There’s something mildly unsettling about hearing your young child exclaim, “What the heck is that?” I give my daughter a fair amount of freedom regarding her YouTube viewing, and when she stumbled upon a segment featuring her favorite artist, I couldn’t help but feel a little joy that she was enjoying something I loved as well. She became obsessed with the music video. At that moment, she couldn’t quite grasp or echo the lyrics, so I didn’t think much of it.
Soon enough, she started picking up on the words, and I found it amusing. She would grab her toy microphone and belt out lines from various songs, including a few that definitely raised eyebrows among parents. I’d join in, playing along and enjoying the silliness together. Since it was a television show, albeit a late-night one, I assumed it was mostly kid-friendly. However, when she began to mimic lyrics that would make many parents gasp, it only reaffirmed my belief: swearing and “bad language” have never really bothered me.
I have to admit, I find it quite amusing when little ones let loose with a curse word. A friend’s child went through a phase of swearing, and I couldn’t help but laugh every time. Knowing my own child would likely do the same, I realized I wouldn’t be able to maintain a straight face. I’m generally a good disciplinarian, but a situation like that would see me dissolve into laughter—much like Cam did on Modern Family when Lily dropped an F-bomb. I wouldn’t be upset, especially if she used the words appropriately.
I’ve been known to sprinkle some colorful language into my daily conversations for years. Growing up, my parents enforced a strict no-swearing rule, which only made me more inclined to rebel during my teenage years. Once, I slipped up and exclaimed “crap” while chatting with a friend; when my dad asked about it, I just lied. He’s not one for swearing, but my mom certainly is.
As I matured, my swearing lessened, but sometimes it feels necessary to express frustration with an emphatic “seriously?” Though I’ve made an effort to tone down my language around my daughter, I’m aware that not everyone appreciates a toddler shouting “damn it.”
Personally, I believe in exposing my child to the real world without excessive censorship. Kids will encounter all sorts of language outside the home, and I don’t want her to be shocked when she hears it. I remember being a tween and wanting a CD but couldn’t buy it due to the parental advisory label, despite my mom having no issue with other artists’ lyrics. The irony was not lost on me.
Kidz Bop CDs, which sanitize songs for kids, annoy me to no end. It’s better to let kids hear the original versions; it’s all part of learning about language and context. Interestingly, a recent study suggested that swearing may even correlate with higher intelligence. While I’m not here to brag about my smarts, I absolutely believe it. Having a vast vocabulary means you can articulate yourself eloquently while still knowing how to throw in a well-placed curse word.
Swearing can be an art form; it takes skill to integrate it into conversations seamlessly. Just look at how actors like Samuel L. Jackson manage to use curse words so expertly, making them sound as casual as “hey” or “that guy.”
A few weeks ago, I overheard my daughter say, “What the heck is that?” while rummaging through a drawer. At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d heard her right, but when she repeated it later, I knew my suspicions were correct. Rather than scold her, I gently explained that some people find that word inappropriate and suggested she reserve it for moments with me. She seemed to get the message and hasn’t repeated it, but if she does, I won’t make too big of a deal.
I plan to keep letting her enjoy her favorite music, and I’ll probably chuckle a bit when she says something that might raise eyebrows. I genuinely believe this won’t harm her development. She’ll learn that certain language has its time and place, and for now, that’s just between us.
Summary
The author discusses their relaxed attitude toward their toddler’s swearing, sharing personal anecdotes about their own upbringing and views on language. They believe in allowing their child exposure to real-world language without excessive censorship while also emphasizing the importance of context and appropriateness. Ultimately, they find humor in their child’s use of colorful language and anticipate teaching them about its proper use in due time.