Watch Your Language
Over the weekend, we did some video work with my clients (and friends), local band Bop Skizzum. It turned into a family affair – because Bryan and Declan came along to shoot B-roll for me. Declan thought it was the most. fun. thing. ever.
Bop Skizzum has seven members. You get that many people in a small space, trying to film them, and words of a certain style are gonna fly around the room, right?
Trust me, Declan has heard these words many times before, especially from my mouth. I have tried [hard] to curb my cursing since Declan entered our life – mainly because there is nothing as unattractive as a five year old popping off like a sailor.
But truly, what is the core of the issue? … Respect.
So, as he learned the big words, one by one, we explained to him – if he were to use those words, people might get their feelings hurt. There might be consequences – especially at school. We respect other people by not using those words around them.
But really? Do we have the right to go into someone else’s house and ask them to stop cursing? After our video shoot, Andy Rok texted and apologized for all the language. He didn’t need to. Declan can handle it.
Besides, it gave us a chance to talk to the kid about the difference of intention behind the words. The guys were just saying them when they messed up their lines, not AT us. Had they been being mean to us, Andy might have something to apologize for.
In the end, what we got was some great outtakes for the video we were making.
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Good for you. We’ve tried to self-censor as much as we can, but sometimes the random bleep comes flying out.
We told our kids that words are not to be feared. They are to be learned, earned, and used correctly. At age 8, my daughter learned last weekend that she has earned the right to be mad, but not to be “pissed off.” And the five year old has earned the right to be shocked to a “holy cow” level, not a “holy crap” level. We know they’ll push the boundaries and one day, unfortunately, something f-bomb worthy will come their way and, yes, they will be allowed to use it.
You’re too cool. Wish you were my mom.
And I think I will try to look at things more that way for my kids too. Thanks for this!
right on, Aimee.
So agree with this. And honestly – cant stand it when little kids have potty mouths too.
Funny you post this the day after The Boy drops sh*t.
We told him that you can build or take down. Swearing really kinda takes you down when you’re a kid. We told him, “find different words.” The end. I think when you make a big deal, it becomes even more enticing to shock you with them.
I think intent and respect are key things when it comes to this topic. We’re still at the early side of this, as BB (6yo) is learning some from his friends/outside people. We frequently have discussions about how words can hurt others, even if we think we’re being funny when we’re saying them. It’s about being responsible for what comes out of our own mouths.
(Man, parenting is f*cking hard!)
Some people think it’s cute when little kids curse and It’s so flipping annoying to me.
I did the same once I had kids and stopped swearing. We all slip every once in awhile but to go on a swearing tangent for no good reason. NOT COOL.
I bet the doing the video was an awesome time.