Defiant Behavior - When Children Swear

This write-up focuses on how parents can handle theircurfew time, and while you are telling her that she'll
child's defiant behavior and the cursing that can comehave to forego going out for the next couple of
with it. We focus essentially on situations when childrenweekends, she starts throwing an array of curse
swear as a form of retaliation when they are beingwords at you. Here, you simply need to reaffirm what
reprimanded for something that they've done before.you've told her (her being grounded for 2 weekends)
In situations like these, you should first look at it fromand simply walk away.
your child's point of view. Your child, in all probability,Getting drawn into an argument about the language
feels like he has been cornered, and nobody likes tobeing used at this point will not really help. For the
feel this way. The power that you are exercising as amoment, you should let this pass.
parent can result in the following:a) Your child startingHowever, you shouldn't forget all about it. When the air
to hate you and wanting to verbally and/or physicallyaround you settles a bit you should approach her and
attack youb) Your child trying to do something in ordertell her that the language that she previously used was
to feel that he is in controlhighly undesirable and using such language is
When children swear at their parents, this is what theyassociated with consequences. You then tell her what
are generally trying to achieve.the consequence is.
First, they use this as a medium to release their pentWhen you are dealing with a child who has defiant
up anger and frustration towards you. In such situationsbehavior, his using curse words shouldn't result in your
children also try and prove that they are their ownfocus shifting from the issue you are currently
masters and you don't control what they say.addressing. While your child might try and divert your
Dealing with defiant behavior in such circumstancesattention, you must ensure that you retain your focus.
makes it important for you to identify what your child isIt is important that you stay focused and have control,
trying to do. Getting involved in an unnecessaryand also stick to the issue being discussed.
argument at this point is best avoided. Getting drawnThe issue involving your child swearing can be
into an argument would give your child a feeling ofaddressed when things calm down a little. This isn't
having some sort of control.something that should be allowed to pass, and your
Here, you should try and retain your composure, andchild should not feel that you've given in. Keep your
also try and get on top of things.focus on the issue currently being discussed, and
For instance, your daughter ends up breaking heraddress the cursing issue at a later time.