Parenting Ideas - Michael Grose
Every week we will add a new Parenting Tip which may coincide with things that have been brought to our attention or you may be dealing with at home.
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What do you think when you hear kids swear in public?
Teaching kids to use appropriate language is trickier now than in the past.
Standards have changed where many words, that were thought inappropriate in the past including the F bomb, are often heard on radio and seen in mainstream newspapers.
And words that everyone agrees are inappropriate are frequently used in public forums, to the point that the boundaries of appropriateness have become blurred.
Standards may change, but the job of parents hasn’t altered. That is, to teach kids to use language that doesn’t offend others.
Whether it’s teasing or swearing it’s all the same. If it’s offensive then choose other words, or say nothing at all is the message to get across to the next generation.
Socially-smart kids alter their language
Socially-skilled kids of all ages will adjust their language to suit the situation they are in. They may speak one way with their friends, but use a completely different vocabulary when they are with adults.
They are aware that what works with their best friend just won’t cut it when you are in grandma’s company. This awareness shows social acuity, and a flexibility to adjust to different environments. It needs to be extended to all sorts of situations including where adults and younger children are present.
So you hear your child or young person swear, what next?
Don’t over react.
Try to work out its purpose. Children swear for many reasons, including to experiment with language; to attract your attention; to make themselves appear bigger or older than they are; and even as a challenge or expression of personal power.
Inappropriate language can also simply be a reflection of your children’s peer groups. “Everyone else swears so there’s nothing wrong with it” is a common attitude of many children and young people.
Teach them that language may be appropriate in one context or may be acceptable to one group, but it may not be acceptable in every situation. While not condoning swearing get across to children that they need to learn to control their use of language and adjust it to suit the situation they are in.
When swearing becomes a habit
If swearing has become a habit for kids, make up alternative words to replace the swear words. One family I know had replaced certain words with fruit. They had a fruit for every situation!
Alternatively, use a penalty of fine system to make kids aware of their poor language. When you hear a family member swear fine them an agree amount. At the end of the week or month give the money to a worthy cause. Of course, this strategy is easier to implement when parents join in as well.
Take a long, hard look at er.....yourself!
It’s also helpful to examine your own choice of language to judge if it is an acceptable model for your children. Yep, sometimes kids will pick up their parents’ language and repeat it at the worst possible time such as when relatives are over.
The job of adults is to develop a sense of social awareness in the next generation so they can easily navigate a variety of different groups and social situations. Teaching appropriate language use is at the very heart of teaching kids to be socially-skilled. That’s something we all should swear by!
Want to learn more raising well-behaved, socially-aware kids?
Here is a list of my resources that you’ll find online that will help:
One Step Ahead:<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=9037&F=H> Very practical guide that will change the way you see kids’ behaviour. Find out more.<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=9037&F=H>
Best Behaviour:<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=10369&F=H> A learning program that will help you develop some good behaviour management skills and greater confidence. Find out more.<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=10369&F=H>
[Secrets of well-behaved kids]<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=10033&F=H>
Secrets of well-behaved kids<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=10033&F=H>: <http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=10033&F=H> a DVD and workbook of my behaviour managementseminar. Find out more.<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=10033&F=H>
Best-Behaviour-in-a-Box<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=10072&F=H>: All the resources above and more....very good learning and very good value. Find out more.<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=10072&F=H>
Help kids beat peer pressure
This blogpost<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=13212&F=H> has a simple but effective strategy you can teach kids to beat peer pressure<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=13212&F=H>.
Let me know on Facebook<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=11352&F=H> the strategies you sue to help kids beat peer pressure.
[Peer presure]<http://www.mnwd-hosting.com/emanager/members/link.php?M=165287&N=18732&L=11352&F=H>
Michael is the author of 8 parenting books, including his new release Thriving! and the best-selling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change it.His popular parenting columns appear in newspapers and magazines across Australia. He's the current Channel 9 Today Show parenting expert. He also has a regular fortnightly half hour parenting segment on ABC radio Victoria.Michael has an education background,and holds a Master of Educational Studies with research into what makes healthy families tick. He has conducted over 1,500 parenting seminars over the last two decades.Michael is married with three adult children who have all successfully flown the parent nest
You can follow Michael's on Twitter @michaelgrose
or follow his blog.http://www.parentingideas.com.au/Blog.aspx