Since school began we have noticed a dramatic vocabulary change in our home consisting of crude words and name calling. In an attempt to decrease this problem, we have introduced vinegar to our children. Calling a person an unkind word immediately receives about 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar. While getting ready for bed tonight, I heard James call Elizabeth an idiot, to which she replied "you're stupid". After giving them each their earned amount of vinegar I asked if they wanted to call each other any more unkind names before I dumped the rest of the vinegar. James immediately declined, but Elizabeth teased with "I don't like you"- testing if I would actually give her more. After tasting her second spoonful, I again asked if she wanted to call him any other names to which she replied "James". Good enough.
-Got any grand ideas to get rid of crude or inappropriate language???
8 comments:
That's funny . I think vinegar is a great idea! We have done this with my little sisters and it seems to work pretty well.
We tried that for discipline... our kids liked it. Nice.
That's brilliant! Milt's family used Tobasco sauce, and now his brothers eat it on anything (and nothing is too spicy for them). Apparently it didn't work, but vinegar seems much worse!
Tabasco sauce and dish soap is what my mother used. So far, "that's a grownup word" has worked for us. :)
Glen Latham (Aggie super-dad) says to ignore the negative and reward the good with positive attention. So when kids come up with kind and creative nicknames for each other, Mom is happy and praises them and when they don't, she walks away. Kids crave attention from their parents. The trick is for parents to make sure they give attention for only the behaviors they want to reinforce. Latham has proof it works.
Oh goodness...My kids aren't even in school yet and we already have name calling. It is pretty much limited to stupid, because I don't think they have heard anything else yet. I haven't done anything yet, because I just keep hoping it is a phase and they will get sick of it. I just might have to pull out the vinegar. Thanks for the idea.
I've thoroughly enjoyed getting caught up on your blog. It's fun to see your new camera being put to such good use. You are taking way cool pictures.
Caleb's new favorite treat is baguettes dipped in Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil. It sure is a good thing he never says bad words. I don't know what I'd use?! (Ha. Ha.)
We use pure mexican vanilla - It sure is great in receipes but awful straight out of the bottle - but I like the vinegar idea!
The music also - Jer says he won't listen to it until after thanksgiving - but when he's not home...what he doesn't hear won't hurt him!! I love the holidays!!
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