What to Do When Your Child Swears

Swear words used to be the forbidden fruit of childhood, whispered behind closed doors. Now, they’re everywhere—TV, social media, and even casual conversations. It’s no surprise that kids pick them up. But as parents, you can set the tone for what’s acceptable and teach your child better ways to express themselves.

Why Kids Swear

Kids don’t swear just to shock you (though it may feel that way). Common reasons include:

• Mimicking adults: Kids imitate what they hear.
• Big emotions: Frustration, anger, or feeling overwhelmed.
• Seeking attention: If swearing gets a reaction, they’ll keep doing it.
• Power plays: Trying to appear tough or bully others.

The good news? You can redirect this behavior with the right approach.

How to Handle Swearing

1. Be the Role Model. If you don’t want your child swearing, it starts with you. Children mirror what they see and hear. Struggling to stop? Choose alternative “family-friendly” words you’re okay with them using.

2. Try “Planned Ignoring” (for the first offense). When your child swears for the first time, don’t react. No eye contact, no words, no attention. Without a reaction, the behavior might fade away.

3. Address the Problem Calmly. If swearing persists, wait for a calm moment to discuss:

• Explain why swearing is an issue.
• Set clear rules about which words are inappropriate, and which are acceptable.
• Lay out consequences for swearing, such as losing screen time or a favorite privilege.

4. Reward the Right Words. Praise your child when they use acceptable words or go a day without swearing: “I love how you expressed your feelings without swearing. Great job!” Positive attention reinforces the behavior you want.

5. Be Consistent with Consequences. If your child swears, calmly state the problem and follow through with the agreed consequence. Ignore protests or attempts to argue, consistency is key.

Remember, kids learn best through positive reinforcement and clear boundaries. By modeling good language habits, praising their efforts, and staying consistent, you can help your child develop healthier ways to express themselves.

Teaching your child to navigate their emotions without swearing isn’t just about words, it’s about helping them grow into confident, respectful communicators. And that’s a win for everyone.

If you are looking for more tips around positive parenting, Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers free Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) support on a wide variety of topics for parents of young children. For more information, email TripleP@NationwideChildrens.org or call (614) 355-8099.