tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post5460171292566406086..comments2024-03-20T01:12:06.791-07:00Comments on Snickollet: "You're a [fill in the blank]-head!"Snickollethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123630374052898460noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-42834318151285360822011-01-03T11:08:03.044-08:002011-01-03T11:08:03.044-08:00I want to thank everyone for the discussion not ju...I want to thank everyone for the discussion not just a wonderful post. It's been thought-provoking for me. My son has Down syndrome and I'm one of those parents that is very touchy about the R-word. (My husband isn't; ah, conflict.) I overheard some boys (6th or 7th graders, I think) playing outside and calling each other "retard" one day and froze. They didn't know a kyouellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992252292707394134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-89183231500001751782010-11-26T19:42:18.207-08:002010-11-26T19:42:18.207-08:00I had to chime in on this one, although I'm la...I had to chime in on this one, although I'm late to the party!<br /><br />As another communications professional, I was also loathe to label words as "bad" when my daughter was young. I still believe there's no such thing as a "bad word." Words are just words, after all. I do believe, however, in the notion of "inappropriate language." I used that term a lot Anne K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16449929462095203637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-36113322739016121152010-11-21T17:36:33.093-08:002010-11-21T17:36:33.093-08:00How funny...I was talking with a friend about this...How funny...I was talking with a friend about this same situation! I never experienced it with my daughter (now 5), but since my son turned 3, I cringe sometimes at what comes out of his mouth...especially since starting daycare. We try to emphasize how it isn't nice to call names, even when being silly, and when the name-calling turns to "potty talk" (because "poopyhead"Careyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02767143271269046531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-58759130249536519892010-11-16T18:20:07.941-08:002010-11-16T18:20:07.941-08:00Just more evidence that this phase is unstoppable:...Just more evidence that this phase is unstoppable: at my daughter's last preschool, they had Chinese class once a week. Week three was parts of the body. By that afternoon, the teachers realized the kids had already learned how to say "bottom-head" and "foot-head" and anything else they could put with "head" that made them laugh. Sigh. In my house, this was a mekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17917552705258680396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-84540941136397060202010-11-16T09:48:11.447-08:002010-11-16T09:48:11.447-08:00we try to frame it as things that are Ok to say at...we try to frame it as things that are Ok to say at home but not elsewhere, because there are many people who will be offended by a kid saying them in public. We talk about how a lot of people will change their perception of her based on what she says and how she says it, really forever, and that she needs to understand what type of language you can use when and with whom. <br /><br />that said, Lizardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01718844284081950852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-51827581187540532362010-11-16T06:57:33.354-08:002010-11-16T06:57:33.354-08:00Just a quick note to echo the emphasis on intent. ...Just a quick note to echo the emphasis on intent. I have an almost-6 and almost-3 year old, and they ADORE calling each other "funny" names. I let it go until they descend into questionable names. If they have a mean-ish focus (dummy) I just ask them to confirm that the other kid knows what the word means and is okay with it. If a bathroom-related word, I reiterate our rule about Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-30911157652311394932010-11-15T18:49:04.366-08:002010-11-15T18:49:04.366-08:00I drink a lot of wine. And I say "stop sayin...I drink a lot of wine. And I say "stop saying that" quite often. My 5 year olds LOVE testing their options when it comes to saying naughty words. The other day - Cole said "I know what the S word is" - I about lost my mind. Turns out the S word is STUPID. Thank GOD for that. I was sure they were more advanced than that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12366676955913857564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-64628605779519749302010-11-15T14:50:18.845-08:002010-11-15T14:50:18.845-08:00i think carrot-head is hilarious! and i remember ...i think carrot-head is <i>hilarious</i>! and i remember my friend's little brother hanging out the window during naptime [he was probably M&R's age; we were in middle school] yelling "ninny-ninny-poo-poo-fart," and we thought that was hilarious.<br /><br />but i think others have made good points about time, place, context -- and especially if they are saying something kathy a.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14479337952651746193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-70571282524808447122010-11-15T11:42:14.602-08:002010-11-15T11:42:14.602-08:00No advice - just want to say this reminds me of Wh...No advice - just want to say this reminds me of What About Bob - the fake Tourettes that he does with the psychologist's kid.<br /><br />This isn't that scene, I couldn't find it, but I still laugh every time. I guess I can't blame M&R! Bad words ARE funny! ;) PS Definitely NSFW<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT326xL8Y94Gillianhttp://www.reluctantgrownupblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-60779236298264355542010-11-15T10:32:43.456-08:002010-11-15T10:32:43.456-08:00just echoing: it's all about intent. we let th...just echoing: it's all about intent. we let the boy wear out the potty words, letting him know that they were merely tedious, not "powerful." he seems done. in fact, now he censures us for our occasional profanity. we tell him that some words are OK only with people you know well, alone, and not for mixed company or public.toddnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-10373638851231363112010-11-15T08:59:22.690-08:002010-11-15T08:59:22.690-08:00I have three boys, ages 12, 10 and 7, so from time...I have three boys, ages 12, 10 and 7, so from time to time, we do hear quite a bit of "potty mouth." The rule is that if it's said like a bad word, (in place of a bad word-which they seem to know what most of them are)then it IS a bad word. It's all about the intent. We also practice the golden rule. If you don't want someone else to call you that, don't call them Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-77533310362834338132010-11-15T07:49:48.724-08:002010-11-15T07:49:48.724-08:00I matter of factly send bathroom talk to the bathr...I matter of factly send bathroom talk to the bathroom, where poop belongs. "You can say that all you want ... in the bathroom." No shame, just a reminder that there's a right place and a wrong place for poop and pee. <br /><br />For less clear-cut words, among siblings, I go with the reaction of the name-call-ee. Is what you're saying (or the way you're saying it) making carohttp://smallanimals.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-45870030153631216192010-11-15T07:39:30.845-08:002010-11-15T07:39:30.845-08:00I have four kids, ages 1-8, and we don't have ...I have four kids, ages 1-8, and we don't have bad words in our house. Words can be used disrespectfully (name calling) or can be inappropriate (generally based on age or situation), but we don't call any word "bad".<br /><br />If kids are laughing and throwing out "glue stick head", "silly head" back and forth, I would totally let it go. But if someone is Missy ~https://www.blogger.com/profile/10252610815798619232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-7683646653159635972010-11-15T07:04:31.589-08:002010-11-15T07:04:31.589-08:00Well, I guess I can't answer that question for...Well, I guess I can't answer that question for you, and I'll tell you why... when I met my husband, I found out that he calls all thirteen of his neices and nephews his "little boogerheads" (From the thirty two year old down to the eight year old) :) In return, we are to the youngest known as Aunt and Uncle Boogerhead. I have to say, it's pretty sweet to get a card made ~lifedramatic~https://www.blogger.com/profile/15985763001059545599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-6253347560106191332010-11-15T06:34:31.346-08:002010-11-15T06:34:31.346-08:00I babysat for a family of five (5!!) kids when I w...I babysat for a family of five (5!!) kids when I was in high school. The two youngest, who were probably 3 and 4 at the time or a little younger, started saying "dummyhead." The mom's approach was to say back, in the same tone, "sweetiepie." So they eventually started saying "sweetiepie" instead, albeit in the same negative tone as "dummyhead." Not sureMaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04472692416075577290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-16451571079718297462010-11-15T06:26:33.331-08:002010-11-15T06:26:33.331-08:00A good reminder for me how much easier one kid is ...A good reminder for me how much easier one kid is than two. (sorry.) I have to admit, this one post is the only one since you left that's made me NOT miss having a 3-child, 2-adult household. Still miss you all terribly, of course - just glad I'm not subjected to the "blank-head" business. Good luck.CVnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-77736450081007329432010-11-15T06:13:57.735-08:002010-11-15T06:13:57.735-08:00I have no good advice, but you did remind me of th...I have no good advice, but you did remind me of this favorite poem by Billy Collins:<br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/child-development/<br />I think there's a lesson, but it's not for me to tell you what it is.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16667704620229111047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-12624041088543742092010-11-15T05:24:25.910-08:002010-11-15T05:24:25.910-08:00We have been dealing with the same thing, off and ...We have been dealing with the same thing, off and on, for about a year now. Due to the influence of one particular child at daycare, ANYTHING can be turned into an insult by adding "head" to the end of it. While I agree that stupidhead is worse than carrothead, for example, my four-year-old does not know the difference. So we are teaching him that "blank-head" is an insult, noA.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04738641472687270029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-51695875365892610962010-11-15T05:10:28.763-08:002010-11-15T05:10:28.763-08:00I can't think that anything that stops laughte...I can't think that anything that stops laughter is good. I would love to hear that laughter. Go with it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-21881193556222797502010-11-14T22:14:12.684-08:002010-11-14T22:14:12.684-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07023601396140884557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-32904858149313942912010-11-14T22:14:07.196-08:002010-11-14T22:14:07.196-08:00I let Hen watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charli...I let Hen watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and he stopped the show every time he heard them say blockhead or stupid to point out that they were bad words and that we don't say bad words. This did not, however, prevent him from repeating, um, dickhead that I muttered in the car during a moment of near road rage. (Muttered, not shouted at the window to the guy.) <br /><br />The Christiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16120883583219857456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-29313925198852698502010-11-14T22:11:29.608-08:002010-11-14T22:11:29.608-08:00don't overthink it. :) as annoying as it must ...don't overthink it. :) as annoying as it must be for parents to have to deal with, that childhood bickering is just as vital for sibling relationships as it is for puppies to play-wrestle with each other. it doesn't reflect on your parenting at all, but it will give them many a fond memory. set a couple rules like you can't call anyone 'stupid' or 'dumb' but let Karishmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-18643300638424515662010-11-14T22:06:51.945-08:002010-11-14T22:06:51.945-08:00This will pass, and I wouldn't give it too muc...This will pass, and I wouldn't give it too much attention. They think they are all kinds of hilarious, and I think minimal reaction is the quickest way to squash that. A friend of mine used a line I love: "shit's not a bad word, it's just not an appropriate word for kids to use"-my 4 year old totally gets the idea of "appropriate", so that works for her. And we Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00271432458696629945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626032.post-74460886404335002372010-11-14T21:57:37.142-08:002010-11-14T21:57:37.142-08:00There are some "bad" words in our house....There are some "bad" words in our house. Stupid is what my kids think the S word is. Hate is another bad word. They know that potty words are not appropriate around other people, only when they are in private or they need to talk to Mom or Dad about their actual bodily functions.<br /><br />Otherwise, we don't have too many other restrictions. Our rule is the "feel bad"Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02421351376057733394noreply@blogger.com