Oh great. DH overheard DS1 (10) trying to teach DS3 (3) to swear this morning.

[Bubble99]

DS1 was read the riot act and has been banned from the computer for a month.

I wondered what was going on last week as DS3, while walking down the stairs, asked "Who left that feckin' shoe there?"

This morning DH overheard DS1 trying to get DS3 to say " F**k off." DS3 did and I am so angry with DS1.

When questioned DS1 said that he's done this twice before (taught him to say it.)

How do I deal with this? Is it best to ignore it or should I explain to DS3 that this is a bad word?

Hmm, how old are your DSs? I have tried to explain to DD (6) that some words upset people, especially when children say them, so it is better not to use them. Its a hard one especially if like me your language is not always fantastic. Fortunately - so far - DD hasn't taken to swearing!

Will a three year old enjoy the fact that it's a bad word and repeat it? Or is he still young enough to distract to another word?

The boys are 10y7m, 8y1m, 3y4m and 20m old.

Will DS 3 maybe just forget it if you read the riot act to DS1 so he doesn't have any more 'lessons'? DS3 sounds a bit young to explain the complexities of swearing to . . .

I hope so, Takver!

Yes. I think you're right. He should forget it. [hopeful emoticon]

Wow, for something as fun and normal as teaching a little one to swear a ban for a month..... phewy matron!!
I would forget it and not mention it to your three year old. The more you talk about it the worse it gets, perhaps think of something that sounds similar so he thinks he's misheard it?? EG my ds (when 3) heard for fuck's sake in a park, we said it was for frogs ache!!

Pull a guilt trip on him. Tel him that little children shouldn't know such unpleasant words. He's bigger, it's all right for him. He should look after his little brother. I find teenagers respond well to the argument that it's ok for them to swear but they should make sure little oines don't hear.

I wouldn't do heavy handed banning. You should be able to reason with him as a mature child, appealing to his better conscience about looking after little kids

LOLOL

My daughter (3.7) has been hearing her half brothers (13 and 10) swear in French for a while now - and I have found her in front of the boys' Xbox saying "Putain, putain, putain"

I don't think we would consider it a "computer banning" offence

We just explain why it's not nice to swear and laugh it off.

So you think the month ban is OTT?

Mr Bubble does, too.

TBH, I just flipped this morning and it was the first 'I know this will really get to you' sanction I could think of.

To make things worse we've just spent the afternoon with the extended family. Lots of cousins with shiny PFBs and DS3 wandered into the kitchen looking for a "feckin' drink."

so far, he hasn't come out with a straightforward 'F off' to anyone other than his teacher.

I'd make him redeem himself to lift the ban to 2 weeks; he did something wrong, something that needs a punishment IMPO - you did good, but a month may be a tad too long... I don't know

Grrr @ big kids teaching little kids naughty words!

(but it is a little bit funny!)

I'd say, 'look, I was cross. This is why. Can we agree a solution together'

Had a chat with DS1 and ban now reduced to a week. This will still be enough of a punishment and is workable.

And yes, it is funny. I found the 'feckin' shoe' thing funny. But I'm not sure how I'd feel about a straightforward 'F off.'

I blame Father Ted.

At least DS3 hasn't got the 'drink, feck, arse' thing.....yet.

isn't it 'drink, feck, arse, girrrrrls', though?

Feck off, edam.

I'd tell DS1 that everytime you hear DS3 swear he'll get punished with whatever your usual punishment for swearing is. then he's got incentive for not teaching him anymore, and incentive for trying to stop him doing it........

This is a general standing rule in our house. If you coerce, blackmail or otherwise encourage someone to do something 'wrong' then, depending on the circumstances, you either cop a share or all of the punishment. DSs are evil little buggers for trying to get DD to do their dirty work

My nephew says 'for fucking's sake', it's not all bad.

Ooh, nice one, Serenity. I like your Machiavellian mindset there.