Stop the swearing

> Here are some tips on how to nip this bad habit in the bud

the meaning of the words. So you should give age appropriate reasons to them for not using those words.

Older children may curse because they picked up the habit from their friends who think that swearing is cool.

But if every sentence they speak has to be blipped out, you should seriously think about weaning your children off these friendships. Bad company does corrupt good morals.

Another way is to establish a no-swearing rule in your family. Anyone who lets profanity escape their lips must deal with the consequences.

Choose a punishment that is suitable for each child. If your son is a homebody, grounding him might not be effective because he’s home all the time anyway.

For teenagers, taking away their smartphones or other cherished gadgets for a duration would get to them but make sure it’s long enough to be felt.

If you impose a ban for a day, essentially it’s only a few hours as your teen is at school practically the whole day.

Is this painful enough for him to think twice before cursing the next time?

Another good disincentive is dishing out extra chores, the operative word here being extra.

Get them to scrub the toilets (if this is not something they regularly do).

Remind them as they clean the filth off the toilet, hopefully, they are doing the same for their language.

If you or your spouse are the guilty ones, you’ve got to walk the talk as well.

Set up a Swearing Jar. Every infraction must be paid for, say RM10 per word. It’s gotta be an amount that makes you feel the pinch.

The money collected shouldn’t be spent on yourself as that would defeat the purpose. Neither should it be spent on treats for the kids or they would wish that you swear more.

Give the money to someone in need or donate it to charity.

Lydia Teh is a mother of four and author of nine books, including the latest, Cow Sense for Young People. Send comments to lifestyle.lydia@ thesundaily.com.