heard recently in my household, vol 2

[topaz]

A recent posting by agaran reminded me of this story, which took place earlier this summer:

The scene: in the car, on the way to visit keyne in MGH.  The driver in front of me was taking a leisurely pace.  I was unhappy with it and told him as much, until he wandered off onto a different road.

Quinn picked up the thread and started saying: "Dammit! Shit! Dammit! Fuck! Dammit!" or some such.

While I was struggling to find the right thing to tell Quinn, Morgan turned to him and said sternly: "Quinn!  Those are grownup words."

And then, while I was struggling to find the right thing to tell Morgan, he went on: "And besides, that asshole already got out of our way!"

I gave up struggling and quietly promised myself a drink later.

Comments

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the problem is that I don't actually believe that business about "grownup words." There's no moral reason why kids can't use words like that. The only reason we don't want them to use them is that it embarrasses us, and that's not a great reason for telling them not to use those words. That's why I had trouble figuring out what to say to Morgan. :-)

[harimad.livejournal.com]

Here's a reason* - there's a time and place for words like that and children have a weak grasp of what constitutes appropriate time and place.

* Which is not to say my reason should apply to your kids.