Cursing Kids

On last night's Parenthood episode, 13 year old Max who has Aspergers Syndrome which is a high functioning form of Autism, called his mom a Bitch.  I was floored.  I sat there on the edge of my sofa waiting to see how mom was going to react.  She did not react the way I would have reacted.  Well, honestly I don't know how I would have reacted but I'm pretty sure, I think, I would not have reacted the way she did.  Let's make one thing clear.  We do not curse in our household.  My kids think hate and shut up are bad words.  Every now and then a word may slip, but it is not a constant occurrence in our household.  Our friends don't even curse in our presence.  Honestly I don't think any of our close friends curse.  I did have a house guest over a few weeks ago who was very comfortable in using foul language while my child was within earshot.  I was pretty close to asking the guest to stop, but realized our visit was close to ending.  I mean, I mute the T.V. when my children enter the room while I watch Tabitha's Salon Takeover and especially when I'm watching a repeat of Real Housewives.  I know I shouldn't be watching this type of TV while the kids are awake, but I cannot seem to give up certain reality shows.

Up until this year, my eldest has attended both a Catholic and Christian school and is currently attending a public school.  The week before winter break, she asks me if "damn" is a bad word.  Again, I'm floored.  Where is she getting such language?  I told her, yes it is a bad word and we do not use it in our home.  She then quickly asked if she could say beaver dam.  I tell her yes and realize she obviously has been thinking about how to use this word on her 15 minute bus trip home.  I did get it out of her where she learned the word from and it happened to be a fellow classmate who I have come to dislike greatly after she called my daughter a skunk for wearing black and white early into the school year among a few other issues the two have had.  I am now elated to learn that the seating assignments have been changed.  I know I can't stop the other little kids from sharing what they hear in their homes, but I can quickly teach my daughter right from wrong if there are parents out there who aren't teaching theirs.

Do you curse around your children?  Do you discipline your children if they curse?  How?

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Give Away: Two Tickets to the G.L.A.M. Etiquette Workshop

The G.L.A.M. Etiquette Workshop for Kids is just a few days away and one lucky winner will win 2 kid's tickets to this awesome event.  Participants will learn proper skills of making new friends, dining, grooming, dressing/accessories, how to communicate with parents, personal organization, and so much more.

Leave a comment below and one winner will be chosen randomly.  One lucky Facebook winner was already selected this week.  To claim your tickets, winner must bring an adult valid i.d. to the door.  Contest ends Friday, September 23rd.  Click here to learn more about the speaker.

Details
Saturday, September 24th
American Legion Post #854
51 Roosevelt Avenue, Valley Stream
Time: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
www.glamworkshop.eventbrite.com
Contact: (516) 531-3823

Got Manners? G.L.A.M. Etiquette Workshop

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Bit by bit you will learn a little about me, but very little because my sole purpose of creating this blog is to keep families informed of the various events there are out there for our children.  I love writing this blog because it not only keeps me in tune with what's going on, but it also fits very well with my love for working with helping children navigate adolescence.  Wouldn't you have appreciated someone telling you what was going to happen in your life before it happened?  Well, maybe mom/dad tried to warn us but we didn't listen because what do they know?  That's where this workshop, organized by Talented Youth Development, Inc. (my organization) comes in.  Sheryl Stokes, the workshop facilitator, my friend, my mentor, has a way of teaching youth the way I have never seen anyone do it.  Her teaching is fun yet informative.  You will learn more about her but my suggestion to you is that you sign up your children, relatives, and neighbors for this workshop.  Fast.  Word is spreading and you do not want to miss this event.  I know that the name is pretty girly, but boys are encouraged to attend as well.