10 tips to stop my child from swearing: 6 - 10
6. It can hurt people's feelings
Try to explain how and why swearing can upset people - they might then realise that it's not a nice way to behave.
7. Praise them
Praise can work so much better than a telling off. Every time you hear your child avoid using a swear word or behaving really well, tell them how proud you are are of them and how you're so pleased that they are behaving properly.
8. Use consequences
If swearing is a persistent problem and all techniques haven't worked then give them consequences each time they swear. Work backwards, for example, take off 20p from their pocket money every time they use bad language.
9. Speak to the school
If you speak to one of the teachers at school you might learn a new trick to deal with kids' swearing, and you can adopt that technique at home. Or you might find that the school view swearing as a minor problem and so don't bother paying too much attention to it.
10. Warn friends and relatives
If you've got guests coming over and you know that your child is going through a swearing phase warn your friends in advance - and try to encourage your child to not swear in front of your guests!
More help and advice
- Read more about how to stop your kids swearing
- Are your kids being rude?
- How to stay calm and avoid shouting at your kids
- Secrets to get your child to behave
- Get in touch with the Lyn Fry Association
- Contact the British Psychological Society
By Louise O'Connell
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