There’s a certain level of surprise when your little one exclaims something like, “What the heck is that?” I tend to allow my son quite a bit of freedom with the content he watches online, and when he stumbled upon a hilarious skit featuring Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon, I was thrilled to see him enjoy something from my childhood. He became obsessed with the video, watching it repeatedly. At first, he couldn’t really grasp or mimic most of the lyrics, so I didn’t think much of it.
As he began to catch on to the words, I thought it was cute. He would take his toy microphone and belt out lines from “Fight for Your Right” by the Beastie Boys, and it was downright amusing to hear him attempt the lyrics to Snow’s “Informer” and R. Kelly’s “Ignition.” I joined in the fun, often playing along as he channeled his inner JT. Since it was a late-night television show, I presumed it was all relatively kid-friendly. However, hearing him sing along to songs that would likely make many parents gasp just reinforced my own views: swearing doesn’t really faze me.
I have to admit, I find it quite funny when little kids curse. A friend’s daughter went through a phase where she would let a few choice words fly, and I would laugh every single time. I knew that if I had a child who did the same, I’d likely lose my composure. I’m pretty good at setting boundaries, but that would be my weakness. I could envision myself laughing uncontrollably like Cam in that episode of Modern Family where Lily swears. If my son were to use such language, especially in the right context, I doubt I’d be upset.
I’ve used swear words in my day-to-day life since I was a kid. My parents put a lot of emphasis on avoiding such language, which only made me more rebellious when I got to middle school. I remember getting caught saying “crap” on the phone and awkwardly lying about it. While I’ve toned it down as I’ve aged, there are moments when “screw this” just feels necessary. Although I don’t want my son to pick up swearing as a habit, I’ve accepted that it’s part of my language, and I know some people are not fans of toddlers yelling “darn.”
I believe in letting my child hear the real world as it is. After all, he’ll encounter all sorts of language outside our home. I’ve seen toddlers using words that would shock many, and I don’t want him to view them as taboo or the worst offense ever when, in reality, there are far worse things in life. I recall wanting a music CD as a kid but being denied because of its parental advisory label, even though I had a copy of Alanis Morissette’s album, which was filled with swearing. My mom was shocked by the lyrics of “Barbie Girl” yet had no issue with me watching soap operas with her. The irony is not lost on me.
I also dislike how Kidz Bop tries to sanitize songs that weren’t meant for kids, especially when they could just put on the radio for the original versions. Those covers can be painful to listen to!
Interestingly, a recent study suggested that people who swear tend to have higher intelligence. I’m not one to brag about my smarts, but I find this notion believable. I can articulate myself well, whether it involves complex vocabulary or a well-placed “screw you.” It’s not an either/or situation; using curse words doesn’t diminish my intelligence. In fact, knowing when and how to use them can be an art form. Take Samuel L. Jackson, for instance—he seamlessly integrates words like “dude” and “motherfucker” into conversation, making them sound just as natural.
A couple of months ago, I overheard my son say, “What the heck is that?” while rummaging through a drawer and discovering some hidden candy. At first, I wasn’t even sure if I’d heard him correctly. It wasn’t until he repeated the phrase a few weeks later that I knew for certain. I didn’t scold him; instead, I gently reminded him that some people prefer he not use that word and that it’s best reserved for when he’s with me. He seemed to get it and hasn’t uttered it since, but if he does, I won’t make a big deal out of it.
I plan on continuing to let him enjoy his favorite “History of Rap” video, and I’ll likely chuckle a bit too much when he says something inappropriate. I genuinely don’t think this will harm him in any way. He’ll learn there’s a time and place for swearing, and right now, it’s just when he’s with me. It’ll be our little secret—at least until this article goes live.
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In summary, while my toddler has started to pick up some colorful language from the media he consumes, I’m not overly concerned. I find it amusing and see it as part of his exploration of language. I believe in teaching him the appropriate contexts for such words while also allowing him to enjoy the things he loves, like music and videos, without excessive censorship.
Keyphrase: Toddler swearing
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