,,to be MIGHTILY PISSED OFF at having my language corrected by a six year old?

[worriermum]

Some background for the Mumsnet Court:

Said six year old is staying at me for three days while his Mum is away. Has many sweet sides sides to him but also has an ability to get Right Up One's Nose. He managed to wind DH up within ten minutes of coming to say. Anyway, I have been a model of patience and good behaviour.

But today, I commented about another child that "she's a helluva sweet kid". To which the six year old friend - lets call him Fred - says "Ah Worriermum, when you say someone is nice try not to say the h word". I had no idea what he was talking about. So he explained.."you said she is HELL of a nice". Aaaa - am getting irritated all over again as I type this. Sorry, but "hell" does not offend me, unlike the persistently racist terms used by his parents! Secondly, Fred is the ONLY child I have ever heard scream "...my fucking programme" in a temper (at his older brother) so I am certainly not about to take lessons in language from him. And finally, even if I was turning the air blue, swearing and blaspheming...IT IS NOT A SIX YEAR OLD'S PLACE TO CORRECT ME!!! It is obnoxious in the extreme.

So I snapped at him "Fred I think you should worry about your own language and leave me to worry about mine!". Yes, I know it was reactive and a tad immature and that I am the grownup but...AARGH.

So tell me Mumsnet, what do you think? And what should I have done?

(this post should come with a warning: OP IS NEITHER RATIONAL, CALM OR OPEN TO REASON RIGHT NOW. Post if you dare...[please..!])

YABU,

The child is correct. We don't use the word Hell in the house, as innocent as we adults see it, for children it is the first swear word they hear.

Our children say Heck and Gosh instead.

If the child has swore in the past maybe he has been told how wrong it is?

ringoffire,

that is what happens in YOUR house. We are talking about worriermum's house, she has said hell does not offend her. A 6 yr old guest should not be telling her how to behave in her own house. It's just rude.

It doesn't matter - if the child is told the word is wrong then they will question it - I don't see that as rude.

Sorry but if the OP had said fuck, and the child turned round and said it was a rude word and shouldn't be used, wouldo you still say the child was wrong? What about "cunt?"

Thats ridiculous to compare the words you have used to hell. Hell is not offensive to me but the other two are.

If anyone said Heck or Gosh in my house they would be laughed all the way to the front door and down the street. How very twee. Do you say Sugar too?

Thankyou for proving my point - it's not what is offensive to you, it's what is offensive to the person hearing it, regardless of age

I can't stand obnoxious kids either or "little snots" as i call them. They usually grow up to be obnoxious adults as well

Is hell a swear word?

Ok, you are on a train with your children and two men sitting next to you are having a conversation and are using swear words. Would you expect your children to say to them you are using inappropriate language please do not speak like that infront of me or words to that effect?

My point is that in life your children are going to hear inappropriate language whether at school or at a club. They have to learn to ignore it.

chillax he's six ,

a better reply would have been and? hell is not a swear word you know?

I would have said "Fred, in this house children do not tell grown-ups what to do" and then changed the subject.

I agree!

We had friends round the other day when my dh managed to check himself when something untoward occurred and he said ssshhhhugar. DS (6) said 'You nearly said shit, didn't you dad?'

Pilates Said "Ok, you are on a train with your children and two men sitting next to you are having a conversation and are using swear words. Would you expect your children to say to them you are using inappropriate language please do not speak like that infront of me or words to that effect?"

In that scenario as a parent I would be retiscent if it got to the point that my child had to say something when I should have asked the men to have some consideration.

ooohh..that winds me up too so I know where you are coming from.

YANBU
I think your response was very appropriate: don't be rude!

//// MadamDeathstare 'that would work in the US, but as I understand it if you try that in the UK you get a mouthful back.'
I would have to disagree. I think you are just as likely to get a shamefaced apology in both places. It just depends on who you are talking to.

If you had looked after my child you wouldn't be doing so again!

I think you were rude to him

and "helluva" would have made me wince as well

not your finest moment IMO

Children like that come across horribly. No respect whatsoever.