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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Boogers and booty and gosh, OH MY!

I'm a stickler about child vocabulary.

A vocabulary Nazi, if you will.

In other words, there are a LOT of words that I don't care for my kids to say that other moms, that are even good friends of mine, probably wouldn't mind if their kids say them.

I'm just a stickler.

These are words that I don't even say.

I just don't like them... or the connotation they hold.

For example:

"Oh my GOSH!" - It's just a substitute for "Oh my GOD!" which is not acceptable. I prefer, "Oh my... STARS, ... GOODNESS, or just a plain ol' "WOW!"

"booty" - too many implications here to name, including but not limited to the phrase, "booty call." Let's just use the normal name for that part of the body, please, "bottom."

"butt" - this is just too crude for me to allow my kids to say it. Again, let's just say "bottom," please. Mm-kay?

"booger" - this is just a gross word, okay. Eeeewwww.

So my 3 year old has been using the word "booty" quite a bit lately and I know he has picked it up at preschool.

I was finally fed up with it tonight and threatened washing his mouth out with soap.

Now, granted, it's not as bad as my nephew that used the f-bomb at about age 4 or 5... correctly, I might add. As in, "What the f$#@ is THAT?" But hopefully we won't get to that point.

But if we do, I want to be prepared.

So... soap suggestions?

Non-toxic, of course. Because I wouldn't want to risk the Lifebuoy affect:





Or maybe you have found something else that works?

Tabasco, anyone?

19 Comments:

Sallye said...

Donna,

This is just way to funny, and to add the clip...

Ivory bar soap is the gentlest thing out there.

Have you tried explaining to your son that even though others are allowed, that ya'll do not use those words in your family. Can't say house, cause then he will think inside but not outside...or find another cooler word to replace it.

Sallye

Anonymous said...

Hi Donna,
I totally agree. My mom didn't let me say them and I continued with my wee ones. I have lessened some and don't freak out as much with "butt", because as they've gotten older there is a whole list of other words they do not say and I'm thankful enough for that to give them a little rope.
I never had to do the soap thing. However, I have a friend who (this being south Texas & all) wouldn't bother with soap - she went straight to the hottest sauce in the fridge.

Donna @ Way More Homemade said...

You know, we may be on to something Biblical with the hot sauce thing... Think Isaiah 6:5-7 for a moment. Unclean lips... a coal touching his mouth... I dunno, girls. What do you think?

Bethany said...

we use hot sauce here... there's no concern that it might be toxic, and um... my kids actually think it is funny to eat soap (yes, I know, they have issues).

Susie Buetow said...

We tried soap on the 2 year old. She went "yum yum" and later found out her and her sister loved soap bubbles. So yes, we used hot sauce once. That was all it took.
Someone back then said that we were mean to use hot sauce.... the girl is almost 15 and laughs about this story (one of the few we can tell in public without embarrassing her)! She loves hot food and pours on the FRANK's hot sauce or tabasco whenever she get the chance!
I think what is "mean" is a parent not doing their job to discipline their children. Then they go to school and teach such things to other children, disrespect their teachers and other adults. That is what I see as "mean".
I find that kids do live by example. If you do not use those words at home, correct them as you are doing and gentle reminders he should phase out of it. Bring in the big guns!!!!!!

Meridith said...

I'm right there with you on the language thing. We haven't gotten to the point of having to use anything yet. (thankfully)

Meridith

The G's said...

We don't let the girls say fart, I know it isn't the worst word, but, well, yuck! It was a habit we had to break when they came to live with us. I came up with an alternative. Instead they say "I just planted a petunia" if they feel like they need to announce it.

Kate said...

That is my all time favorite Christmas movie...and so very appropriate for your blog. hee hee

I had a cat named booger. My Booger and I were close.

I think most of us know what the f-bomb is, but I truly loved that you shared it anyway. haa haa

You rock Donna!

Kate said...

ps...my great niece loves hot sauce...the hotter the better. I had the jalapeno thing done to me and I liked them, but faked not liking them so I could have them when I was bad.

Jennifer (mom of four) said...

My friend used to work in a daycare and they would use baking soda for kids that would bite. Only with the parents permission of course. It taste pretty bad but shouldn't harm them.

cindy said...

I totally support your right to regulate your child's use of certain offensive words. However, I have never understood how "butt" is offensive. It's a shortened term for Buttocks. There are Butt pork roasts in the grocery store. There's a "butt" of a gun... it just means the end of something. And when I was a kid, my best friend's mother wouldn't let her children say butt, but they used the word "bohonkus" which sounded much more vulgar to me. In my opinion, if you're using the word to describe your behind, and not in a derogatory way, then it's not a problem. Like "sit on your butt" or "I fell on my butt". We used the word bottom for other more private areas when I was growing up, and I continued this with my daughter. So what's the offensiveness of "butt"?

Donna @ Way More Homemade said...

Jenn - I like the Baking soda thing. Never heard that before. Thanks for the tip.

Cindy - I know the words I listed are not the worst out there. And I do have friends & family who use them. And I understand that they are not "bad" words, per se. I just don't like them.

Specifically for butt, it just sounds a little crude to me coming from a preschool/young elementary age child. I don't know that I can fully explain why. Maybe it's the connection to the phrase, "I'm going to kick your butt." Maybe it's because it was an acceptable substitute for "a$$" when I was growing up and I am throwing off my own childhood ways.

I understand that they will eventually use some of these words. However, I feel like this is part of training them to think about what they are saying before they say it. Training, I'm sorry to say, took YEARS to sink in for me.

Anonymous said...

We don't use those words either. I do need to add in fart though. I HATE that word. We use fluff. I've never had to wash my kids mouths out but I did hear from a friend that a cottom ball doused in vinegar and rubbed on the tongue works wonders.

Angie said...

A little dab of vinegar goes a long way!

Haley said...

I was also going to suggest vinegar... it just doesn't seem as cruel to me as hot sauce. And one taste of vinegar should make them think twice.

Cristel said...

Kate - I have a cat named Booger too! How funny! I have never heard anyone else with a cat with that name.

There are words we don't allow our kids to say as well. We don't allow our kids to use the word stupid toward anyone or in reference to anyone. Really I can think of very few instances where stupid would be appropriate. I'm not a huge fan of butt either. We are bottom kind of folks around here. Except when the oldest was in Kindergarten and her teacher used "bumper" and that caught on for a while.

As far as what might be an effective yet still humane way to teach your kid a lesson - I go with the vinegar. Our oldest had a habit of sucking her fingers. We made up a concoction of vinegar and water, put it in a spray bottle and told her we would spray it in her mouth if she couldn't keep them out. Took one time. We called it Finger Juice. It still strikes fear in her little self four years later.

Mandy said...

I just found you blog-how fun!!

We tend to be pretty relaxed as far as vocab goes. My husband and I do not cuss so that has never been an issue...boogers, butt, and even occasional crap has never raised an eyebrow arround here.

What I cannot deal with is negitive, smart or back talk. Including, but not limited to whining, tattling and name calling.

In those instances we have used a small spray bottle of white vinigar...that worked will I got brave enough to use Dawn dish soap.

My three have gagged in the dramatic aftermath of said punishment to which I added the rule, "If you make yourself throw up, I'll make you clean it up."

It works great till the next time they play a spirited game of Rockem Sockem Robots and throw caution to the wind...

Melinda said...

Wow - you seem to have hit on a hot topic! And speaking of "hot" - we were a Tabasco family! I say "were" because, well, the girls are a little out of policing age! :o)

Anonymous said...

Bitter Apple. Made to train a pet but works great on kid's mouths.

The Isrealites were instructed to eat bitter herbs with each Passover meal to remind them of their suffering while at the hands of the Egyptians. I think that is apropo.

I say "rump" or "your little rump-uh-roo-ey".

I do not like the F word for passing gas. My kids may not say it. My husband says it so this is a problem.

It's not appropriate to use Bitter Apple on husbands.