How to deal with not so pleasant phrases children say??

[luckyjames]

My 3.5 year old son did not want to brush his teeth last night. I explained why we had to brush our teeth but he still insisted he didn't want to. I calmly told him not to worry, we could leave his teeth (which i knew he wouldn't want to do, sometimes this works and he brushes them!). But to my surprise and shock he said "then i will cut you in half with a knife". I asked him who taught him to say that and he didn't say anything. I asked if he heard it from nursery and he said yes. I then went on to explain to him that it's not very pleasant to say that to people, it upsets me to hear that. he told me after that he was joking. I said it's ok if he's joking. Did i do/say the right thing? How would others reacted to similsr situation and what would you have said? Just like to hear everyones opinion please.

I told my children that this is not a nice thing to say at all, even if it's a joke. It's normal stuff though, so don't worry.

Exactly the same with my ds, also 3.5, a lot of what he says in play is about cutting, killing, blood etc. Should I say every time that's it is not nice or just if he's saying it to others?

Oh I've got exactly the same with my ds, just turned 3.5. He talks about cutting and chopping and even said recently he was going to kill me. I hit the roof at that and spoke to his nursery about that language. He hasn't done it since then but has a couple of times sweetly reassured me that he isnot going to kill me. He also says "mummy, we never cut people, only wood". Cutting and killing obviously on his mind though. I was very upset about it a couple of weeks ago, esp when he uses that language when cross. I blame parents who let their kids watch tv that is too old fir them, though expect some of all this stuff is innate.

sebbysmum what did you say to nursery? From reading this thread I think I need to be a bit tougher with ds

Started my own thread for combination of discipline issues but one of them is two and three quarter year old calling people mr/mrs cow pop etc. He also says he diesnt love us even though he's generally one if the most loving and affectionate toddlers i know.

I know it's not the same buts it's good to know DS is not the only one.