10 tips to stop my child from swearing: 1 - 5
The first thing you need to do is stay calm - a big reaction could encourage a child to continue using bad language.
Dr Lizzie Dark a clinical psychologist from the Lyn Fry Association, has these tips:
1. Monitor your own speech
Either try to stop swearing or use other words in front of the kids, or when they're in earshot.
2. Monitor what TV programmes they watch
This could be where they're hearing the swear words from, and think about what music they're listening to.
3. Replace swear words
Change the swear words you use to non-offensive words or teach your children to use alternative words instead. You could make up new, family words.
4. Ignore them when they swear
If the kids are swearing because it gets your attention, ignore them. If you pay them attention when they're swearing then you're giving them the message that swearing works.
5. Ask questions
Why are they swearing? What do they mean? You might find out that something is repeatedly making them angry or frustrated and they don't know how else to express themselves.
By Louise O'Connell
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