I feel like a hot mess this week. I’m not on my game and I couldn’t be more thankful that it’s Friday! Pre-School has really changed my little guy in so many cool ways but I’ll be the first to admit; its changed him in some not so cool ways too. He’s learning some ‘bad’ things from other children and then trying out his ‘new moves’ at home. Common, right? Of course! But one thing he’s learning that I don’t like are his new words and phrases. So, how do I know its from pre-school? Well, 1. He’s told me, “SO & SO says ____!” (followed by my mouth dropping) and 2. He just started saying some of ‘these things’ and I’ve never heard them before. These words, phrases and sentences are just… well, no good… bad… inappropriate… disgusting… unacceptable… WORDS. And yes, it could be worse; it’s not like he’s swearing (thank God) but he’s using words that I/WE don’t allow.
I notice it most when we sit down to eat a meal and I think I notice it then because that’s the time of day we are all within feet of each other, talking and re-living our days. However, if Rocco doesn’t know what to talk about or what to say, he starts acting goofy and begins saying words and phrases that aren’t acceptable. It goes without saying that he then gets Roman on board and well, all heck breaks loose.
Where am I in all of this?
I’m a hot mess mama who needs a Preggatini! I end up putting one or both of them in their room(s) to “think about their potty mouth” and we talk about it when everything settles. Last night I even pulled out the good old,
“Should I clean your mouth out with soap?” conversation.
I might have to.
Have you?
Dare anyone admit to it. When another mom tells me they have gone through this phase, I find myself tilting my head and saying in a tired little girls voice, “I just don’t want to.” I feel like with every other ‘phase’ and/or ‘stage’ I’ve gone through with our boys, I’ve always had a pretty good handle on it. How to deal with it, what to do, what ‘works’, and then the stage passes. This time? I’ve tried a new tactic every day. I’ve had a different type of conversation every night to see if one conversation will click and he’ll just get it that it is NOT COOL to talk that way.
So, give it to me, friends.
Tell me what to do. Tell me what to say. Charts? Reward system? I haaaaate those… think they are ridiculous. (unless I’m not pregnant, then I can conquer the world with charts; for real.) However, right now I feel like, why should I reward and notice when my son talks like a NORMAL person should talk? Is it that hard to use words that are pleasing to our ears? Good, clean words and sentences? Can we just carry on a conversation without saying those things? Maybe I need a joke book so that we can tell funny and clean jokes because honestly, I think that this is his ‘joke’. This is how he gets a rise out of everyone and a BIG giggle from Roman.
So that’s my week mama friends. Pass the Preggatini; I needed to rant. Stay Tuned for next weeks rant… Customer Service at Babies R Us. This is what I’ll be sipping this weekend (while Brian cleans out the potty mouth here at 1046). Want one too? - Recipes here -
Happy Friday, Happy Weekend, Happy Preggatini!
xo
I actually think the joke book thing is a good idea. Or just make a really big deal out of the good things he does. But the joke book thing, you could do at dinner time and go a little over board with your laughter make him think he’s the funniest thing on earth.
I think you came up with your own solution, sometimes we just need to talk it out
Good luck!
this too shall pas
When my nephews started “the mouth”, their parents sat them down and said “New law – you are not allowed to say any word unless you hear your dad say it first.” Actually worked for them.
I had a friend who’s dad put hot sauce in her mouth (this was many many many years ago) and I was mortified. I still am, lol.
My son hasn’t gone through this phase (yet), but he has brought some yukko habits home from Kindergarten too (and a lot of good ones, like you noted), so I can relate.
Hope it passes soon.
Well I’m no expert, but coming from a home where my husband is a former Marine and currently a police officer you can only imagine some of the BAD language that gets said around here. I am very good about keeping myself under control so I know they haven’t heard much from me. One day I had Cara at work and she spilled water on my desk and said THE ‘F’ word. I was humiliated. But I simply said that’s not nice and changed the subject as quickly as possible. I feel like if they know it’s getting to you they tend to do it more.
Good luck! Preschool definitely brings out new things in them.
I am a preschool teacher and I hear these potty words often. I ask the child that uses those words if they have to use the bathroom. They look at me kind of funny but then I go on to say, “Those are bathroom words and when you say them, I will need to send you to the bathroom.” I did the same with my two children and it works. For some reason, the last thing a preschool wants to do is be sent to the bathroom while they are having a good time with their friends or family. Good luck! It doesn’t usually last long.