My 9-Year-Old Just Told Me to Stop Using the “F” Word
Minding her mom’s tongue
I’m guilty of using the “F” word a lot these days. I always utter it under my breath, or so I thought.
At breakfast, I was a bit agitated, that the toddler was throwing a tantrum; wasn’t eating my strenuously prepared breakfast. I uttered the “F” word very quietly imagining my next one hour would be lost trying to coax my toddler to eat.
The 9-year-old sitting next to me caught it and was quickly turned to me and asked coolly “What did you say?”. I had a ready answer and told her… I said “aww Sh*t”, because I am going to be stuck here with your brother for an hour”. “ What does it mean?” she asked again. I said — “It’s just an expression of frustration.”
She said mom you’ve to stop using that word. I tried to look at her as if I’m an innocent puppy. She said in the same cool tone, “I know what you said. I’ve heard you say that often but I was a bit scared and hesitant to tell you. I’ve heard my classmates say that and it’s a very bad word”
I’m like — “Whaat?”
She continues as if she’s a grown-up, instructing me — “That’s a really bad word my friends say. You shouldn’t say it. What does that mean?
