My 2 1/2 year old is swearing!

[ladycasshmere]

Instead of punishing your child for mimickry (something that 2 1/2 year olds naturally do) punish the person or person's who introduced your child to the words because they should know better, but he cannot.  I hate to sound like your mother but your child is a sponge.  Turn off the TV or if you have to watch shows that use those words, or watch it when your child is asleep.  But please, don't punish your kid for repeating words that you allow him to hear.  He is after all still learning to talk.  It is your job to show what type of behavior is acceptable.  If someone says those words in your child's presence let them know that they can't do it again.

What about when you are out in public around people who are swearing. It happens all the time.In the grocery store or lots of public places.It's hard to explain to someone you do not know not to curse around your child. I was in a store once and this lady was cursing like a sailor and my brother who I was left in charge of began to mimic her .I was in line and couldnt get away from her so i politely asked her not to curse in front of him and low and behold the irate lady cursed me out too!

[knoehring]

It could be the TV.  I can't believe what they can say on TV nowadays.  Family Guy is a perfect example and should not be shown in the presence of young impressionable toddlers (and even teenagers sometimes).  I'm no prude, but television censorship leaves a lot to be desired.

[SoldierSilent]

Apparently your discipline isn't working.

[loulizlee]

Make sure your child is not hearing that type of language at home by family members or on television, to begin with.

[sonar1234]

A child at 2 1/2 years is probaly just mimicking what he/she herd on T.V or what she/he herd from a t.v show nothing you can really do about it but saying to he child that is a big NO!, at what he/she saying

[tjshorty]

sorry about that.  My kids went through that, not at such a young age but I told them since I knew it was the music they was hearing that the could only swear if they sang it.  It was funny for a short time.  Then they got tired of singing.  I figured that way I could understand the words to the songs they was listening to.  My grandkids started with it at a young age-I just gave them a word that sounded like what they was saying, but not a bad word.  They eventually stopped using either word in such away.

[home_teachin]

Instead of punishing your child for mimickry (something that 2 1/2 year olds naturally do) punish the person or person's who introduced your child to the words because they should know better, but he cannot.  I hate to sound like your mother but your child is a sponge.  Turn off the TV or if you have to watch shows that use those words, or watch it when your child is asleep.  But please, don't punish your kid for repeating words that you allow him to hear.  He is after all still learning to talk.  It is your job to show what type of behavior is acceptable.  If someone says those words in your child's presence let them know that they can't do it again.

I agree 100%. I would also not make a big deal out of it. When my boy was little and he would say a curse word (*bleep* was his favorite) I would say" mommy doesn't like that word." Calmly. He would eventually stop and tell other people who cursed " I don't like that word." People should focus more on teaching their kids than punishing them.

[loulizlee]

I can't help but think that some of you are missing the point.  Why is this 2 1/2 watching TV shows in which that kind of language is used.  Those shows are not meant for 2 1/2 year-olds.  And yes, you can keep them from watching.

[Graeth]

Your not going to get him not to curse.
Just teach him when to curse.

Teach him restraint and control

[home_teachin]

Your not going to get him not to curse.
Just teach him when to curse.

Teach him restraint and control

[yuyunice25]

Kids copy what they see and hear around them so probably he sees it around him. Discipline him and eventually it will work.

[jamesmucker15]

Oh no, that isn't good! I would keep an eye on him / her if she mistakenly saw shows that are adult or teen violence. One of my younger nephews & nieces used to do the same thing because of the programs that we watch. But they will soon know the responsibility to not to swear if they see educational TV that I like to watching sometimes myself. 

[samusgg]

you show him what the fist of authority really feels like. or pull him by the ear if he does it again

[jabkman]

you can't hide words from children anymore, my three year old sister has proved that... but try to eliminate the words from being heard

[LTSBowl]

kick his butt lol im sure he heard it somewhere soon im sure he will drop it !