Is 3 too young to understand not to say swear words?

[Petallic]

My DS1 is 3 and has picked up my horrible habit I have of saying "for fucks sake". I heard him say it the once and I then tripled my efforts to stop using it. I've never said it directly at DC but it has slipped out eg when I've been driving or suddenly have to dive to catch DC2 from falling head first off slide - off guard moments.

But it's still lodged there in DC1s head, I've ignored the couple of times he has said it so far but I'm wondering if I should explain to him that it's a bad word, as he is still occasionally saying it, even though I'm not, so it's properly lodged in there.

I know this problem is all of my own making but how do I fix it?!

[hollie84]

Yes, explain it's a bad word and that you shouldn't be saying it either - I had to do the same with my 3 year old but luckily it was only "bloody"! He still corrects me (and occasionally strangers) if I say it

[Petallic]

Thanks, I will try that next time he says it. I was worried about making it more alluring but I would settle for DC telling off strangers rather than the little voice piping up from the back of the car "is that car being a 'fuck sake' mummy?"

[NinjaLeprechaun]

I explained the concept of "grownup words" to my daughter when she was very small. Because I happen to know very sweary people and couldn't stop her hearing them.
Just as there are things that grownups are allowed to do that children are not allowed to do, there are words that grownups are allowed to say that children are not. An explanation she was willing to accept for several years, thankfully. She never tried to drive the car or drink beer either, for the same reason.

[LittleLionMansMummy]

This first raised its head when ds turned 3 too! I explained it was a naughty word, that mummy shouldn't say it and neither should he. He accepted this explanation... until he repeated what I said while driving recently! I just again told him I was naughty for saying it and he hasn't repeated it. It has made dh and I think before opening our mouths though and we tend to spell things out a lot more!