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What level of shouting and language is normal/acceptable?

26 replies

sumnus · 19/05/2024 09:41

I grew up in the 80s. I remember us children being smacked a couple of times, and I remember being told off a lot. My mum had a ferocious temper and probably shouted sometimes. But I never remember hearing a swear word and I never remember being called names.
I live in terraced housing between two families, both of whom have children under the age of 6. Both mums shout at their children a lot, swearing when they tell them off and calling them names such as, "You horrible little girl!" or "what a nasty little boy you are!". (Professionally, I was trained to label behaviour, not the person).

Let me be very clear. I don't have children, partly because I never thought I'd be a very good mum. I have no reason to believe I could be doing a better job than my neighbours are doing, let alone at their age.

But I'm curious - is it normal for parents to swear and 'label' their young children in this way? How did/do you parent? Where did/do you draw the line?

OP posts:
Deathraystare · 21/05/2024 15:23

Neither my parents swore at us. Mum used the word shit at school and her friends refused to walk with her!! My Dad never swore. Boy did they hit us though. Especially Dad. Never shouted. I got smacked by mum for called her an old cow!!

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