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Original poster

Parents who constantly swear at their kids

40 replies

longlocks · 29/07/2024 19:44

I hate it. The frequency of swear words could make children think that they are acceptable words.

Was in a Coop and two mums with 4 kids between them and one of the kids (guessing 5 years old) swore and the mum screamed “stop fucking swearing” (the irony). Then every third word the mum said was a swear word.

Do you think parents should be swearing like this to their kids?

OP posts:
HoppityBun · 29/07/2024 20:55

Wolfpa · 29/07/2024 20:48

Words are classed differently to different people. One of my friends parents treated the word fart as a swear word we had to say trump when they were around. A friend who grew up on a farm was always talking about cow shit, it was just another word in their vocab.

you need to know the whole context before you can make judgements on the language used.

wou the friend who grew up on the farm use the word shit as a swear word, though? Because that’s the difference

EG94 · 29/07/2024 20:52

My mum always swore be we never dared. My favourite was when my brother was about 16 and typical boy didn’t wash. My mum walked in the front door and instantly shouted “Tim, you smelly little bastard, I can smell you, get in the bath”

I was crying with laughter. I don’t like hearing kids being sworn at excessively but slipping up and swearing around kids if an accident happens. We always knew not to repeat or we’d have our mouth washed out with soap.

Wolfpa · 29/07/2024 20:48

Words are classed differently to different people. One of my friends parents treated the word fart as a swear word we had to say trump when they were around. A friend who grew up on a farm was always talking about cow shit, it was just another word in their vocab.

you need to know the whole context before you can make judgements on the language used.

GreatDarkWing · 29/07/2024 20:48

It's really, really horrible. I can't bear it. Instant judgement from me. I have occasionally let out an "oh shit" if I drop something heavy on my foot but maybe twice in my daughter's life - and I apologised straight away.

EllieRosesMammy · 29/07/2024 20:44

EllieRosesMammy · 29/07/2024 20:44

I absolutely hate it. Occasionally I'll slip up and sweat infront of my children but I don't swear at them. I still don't swear infront of my mam and I'm almost 30🤣

*swear not sweat 🤣

I've definetely sweated infront of my children in this heat haha

EllieRosesMammy · 29/07/2024 20:44

I absolutely hate it. Occasionally I'll slip up and sweat infront of my children but I don't swear at them. I still don't swear infront of my mam and I'm almost 30🤣

LazJaz · 29/07/2024 20:38

Was cycling home with nursery age DS and a mother was cycling with her two older children - I would guess about 14 and 12. Swearing awfully at the 14yo - it was distressing to hear him called “a stupid dickhead” and to hear her say “I fucking told you” and “you’re this close to losing you’re fucking phone” -
really horrible. Undermined her authority too and made me question what is it like at home if she is able to speak like that out of the house? I felt for those kids.

Polarnight · 29/07/2024 20:35

My mum was one of these. I'm in my 40s and having dropped the swearing habit & I don't like it.

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/07/2024 20:35

I think it's all context. I have a client who used to do very "awwwww little fuckers" with a smile in a calm voice. I'd prefer that to a hissed, "you stupid child".

Shouting, using any words to hurt, nasty stuff... the actual word doesn't matter. 'Stupid' is one of the worst and it's not a swear word.

prescribingmum · 29/07/2024 20:32

Agree with @Butteredtoast55, I was gobsmacked at opinions to swearing in front of children on MN. I don’t judge much when it comes to parenting but would judge any parent who openly swears in front of them and would consider parents swearing directly at them to be absuive

Stumped7 · 29/07/2024 20:29

It's verbal abuse and should be reported to SS in my opinion.

Butteredtoast55 · 29/07/2024 20:24

I detest swearing in front of children so YA definitely NBU, yet on Mumsnet swearing is pithy and nothing to get worked up about.

Cutthecheese · 29/07/2024 20:10

Can't be condoned if its constant.

cupcaske123 · 29/07/2024 20:05

I phoned social services on my neighbour who was constantly shouting at her children and swearing at them. The final straw was her calling them a bunch of cunts.

Feelingmentallyunsettled · 29/07/2024 20:03

I had a family move in next door to me with 2 primary age children. I'd hardly ever heard any one use the f swear word to young children and I was shocked the way the couple next door shout and swear at their children - mainly the mother I have to say but sometimes the father. The sad thing is I hear the children swearing now.As you say OP they must think it's the normal way to speak.

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