At the supper table the kids were telling us about the movies that Aunt Miriam let them watch while Jason and I were gone. They liked one series in particular, and one of my daughters told me, “It didn’t have any bad words or anything.”
Curious as to what they considered “bad words,” I asked, “What words are bad?”
“Oh, words like ‘hell.’” I was kind of surprised that they had picked up on this as a bad word, but Jason explained that he had had a conversation about the word with them recently.
“What else?” I persisted.
“Well, words like ‘stupid,’” came Joy’s answer.
That was more along the lines of what I had expected. We talked about the word and how it is not a bad word unless it is used with the intent to be mean. Words like ‘stupid’ are not off limits at our house. I guess we decided that there are so many words out there that can be used wrongly but are not in an of themselves bad that it is better to teach the children why name calling is wrong instead of just making every name they could dream up off limits.
All the while Little Jason was eating his taco, oblivious to the conversation–we thought. He looked up at Jason and said, “Stupid Daddy,” with a dead pan expression. The chatter all ceased, and then he looked at me and said, “Stupid Mommy.” Good parents would surely not have died laughing as we did. We missed out on that teaching moment, I tell ya!
And yet, somehow, he probably got the teaching moment even better just because of how you actually reacted!
Funnily enough, I have heard of kids being shocked by use of the word “stupid” before. I can only imagine the looks on your faces when Jason came out with those last two quips.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you teach your kids against name-calling rather than that words are bad.
I visit with two different families (one of them is my brother’s) and I get so sick to death of being told “Aunt Mari, that’s a bad wood (word).”
Anyway – sometimes, things are just funny. I’m pretty positive that there will be plenty more teaching opportunities in the days ahead 🙂
There will be plenty more teachable moments in the future! For now celebrate the fact that one of the kids actually was listening!!
Stupid is as stupid does……and you are “doing” fine….the best thing I got out of this blog was the fact that you and your children “communicate”…leave those lines open and all will fall into place…..
Haha! I also would have laughed hilariously, had it been my child! It always sounds like you have such a fun household.
Am enjoying the posts. I used the word stupid in my pre-k 3 yr old class. A little boy gasped “Awhh, Miss Hallie!, You swore!” (That word is not used in this area.) Also discovered not to exclaim to a 3 year old class that “it is raining cats and dogs outside”.
It’s amazing how kids pick up bad language. Sometimes even adults use words that are not exactly good, for instance, OMG.
Esther, thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Coach Theresa
After watching Toy Story Asher made up two names for his sister or anyone who messed with him Bossy Boss and Evil Dr. Porkchop. He then combined the two calling her Bossy Porkchop. We thought it was so funny that we taught Silas at 18 months to say Bossy Porkchop. It sounds hilarious.
Oh M Gee, I would have died laughing! I think that is one of the toughest areas of being a parent for me at least, I have a tendancy to laugh when my kids do something like stomp off and pout, (crossing their arms to show me how mad they are) or when they tell me “I’m very mad at you mommy” Oh goodness kids can say the funniest things.
This was hilarious! Anyone can tell you guys are awesome parents!