Expert advice on nipping this issue in the bud.

1-Set an example- Do not curse in front of your children under any
circumstances because they do what they see and hear not what they are told.
That means that if you curse, they will too. If you slip up in front of them
immediately diffuse the word by playing a rhyming game. So if you say the
"F" word in front of a younger child, start saying "luck, duck, truck,
pluck" so they don't focus on what you said first.

2-Set Boundaries- If you hear a young child curse reprimand them immediately
by telling them that those words are not allowed to be said in your house,
at school or at all. Take a no-curing policy. Even in movies. Don't let
younger kids watch movies that may have curse words, movies that are not age
appropriate. Explain to them "this is for big kids". For older kids they
will understand consequences, like for every curse they take a dollar of
their allowance and put in into a "curse jar" and that money goes to
charity. Its not a savings fund, it's a punishment.

3-Talk it out- If your child is old enough to understand, explain why curing
isn't good. Tell them that it makes them sound aggressive and angry and it
makes them sound like they have no language skills and that the attitude
cursing conveys to anyone who hears it is negative

4-Don't laugh- Its funny and even cute in the movies when a 3 year old says a
bad word but in real life laughing at your kid saying a curse word will only
encourage it. Give them a good replacement word that is even funnier like
"shut the front door" or "Scooby Do!"

5-Really listen- This is a tip for parents. You need to figure out why your
child is cursing. Are they imitating an older sibling or are they angry or
upset about something else and nobody is listening to them as was on our
show. If you determine that the child is upset over something, deal with
that issue not the curing. The cursing is only symptom of the larger
problem that needs addressing. A kid with a real issue may also hit or push
other children and not just curse, so be aware of aggression in your child
and deal with it now to stop it from getting worse.

Cooper Lawrence MA
Syndicated Radio Host
The Cooper Lawrence Show
Cooperlawrence.com