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How to handle child swearing for attention

82 replies

cloudywithstars · 19/04/2025 10:57

My 7 year old daughter has been swearing a lot over the last week or so, normal loss of privilege has not had any affect.
she is currently swearing repeatedly while chatting to her sister and I’m just ignoring her so not to reward her with the attention she is trying to get, she’s not angry she’s just smugly swearing more and more for a reaction and now almost every other word is fucking or fuck even to the point she’s singing it to get me to react.
I have taken her Nintendo and began extending the days she lost it but she’s not phased.
She is swearing louder and louder and seems very confused at my lack of reaction, I am calmly thinking of a consequence to give but I’m looking for suggestions.

OP posts:
cloudywithstars · 19/04/2025 11:06

Sending her to her room is impossible unless there was a lock on the door, she’d firstly refuse point blank to go and if I dragged her up there she would follow me back down every time.

OP posts:
FionnulaTheCooler · 19/04/2025 11:04

I'd be threatening no Easter eggs if she doesn't pack it in right now.

Theunamedcat · 19/04/2025 11:04

Walk away from her turn your back and blatantly ignore it

I used to read a very big book I could hide my entire face behind

Eggsboxedandmelting · 19/04/2025 11:02

Sponge and Fairy...
Dare her to speak at school like that and consider those consequences..

Comedycook · 19/04/2025 11:02

Id send her to her room as soon as she starts.

HollyBerryz · 19/04/2025 11:02

If she's doing it for a reaction I think ignoring is the best way to deal with it.

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 19/04/2025 11:01

What disgusting behaviour. Personally I'd go the 'natural consequence' route - she can go to her room and swear in there. I'd make her room just as boring as you can, absolutely no screens, and have her in there for at least an hour. You behave antisocially, you get ostracised from society - it would be good for her to learn that quickly.