the great cursing experiment

"I know the b-word" he called out from the back seat.

{Oh yes, what is that?}

"Bitch," he says.

{Do you know what that means; can you use it in a sentence?}

"Well, I don't really know what it means but you might say to someone What a bitch! or Don't be such a bitch!"

{Hm, do you ever use the b-word?}

"No, because I don't really know what it means and it is not a good idea to use words if you don't know what they mean.  And besides, I think that one is a hard one to use without making someone feel bad."

{Sounds like a good way to discern the use of a swear word, bubby}

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Back before we had kids, my husband and I peppered our language with curse words.

I, moreso than he, as most will attest.

Back before we had kids, we decided we still wanted to pepper our language with curse words - 

even after the kids were born.  And maybe even in their presence.

And so we have.  

It has been the great cursing experiment.

Our logic is this:  

We do it. The movies and shows do it. Other kids and adults do it. Our friends do it.

Our kids will do it.

And we would like to be able to influence how and when they do it.

There are rules {of course}:

1. Assess your audience
2. Use it in context

3. If you get in trouble, you face the consequences

4. Don't curse at people {don't use your words to make another person feel bad}

It took our eldest 6 years to really use any curse words.

And now, he uses them intermittently 

{and primarily while playing video games} 

with a 

"Mom, these enchiladas are fuckin' awesome!" to keep it real.