Kids use these comments to other kids and think it is ok: Many comments that I hear at my job are about some kids saying the most inappropriate things to each other. When you stop and question the kids, they have heard their parents or an adult say it so they think it is ok. Usually when I ask them what it means, they have little understanding of the impact of those words.
Kids don’t understand adult concepts: Comments that kids repeat of an inappropriate nature say so because they think its ok or they want a rise out of the other child. They have heard someone use words to hurt another and they think it is ok. This is often confusing for kids because they have no idea of the meaning or depth behind those words. When you try to address this, they think that your being unreasonable because they have heard an adult already say it.
We shouldn’t want kids to understand adult concepts yet: Do we really want a society where kids are saying swear words and sexually inappropriate words and comments? Does anyone like hearing kids repeat these things? Kids brains are not ready to process the feelings and emotions that often go with adult concepts. They say things without understanding the emotions behind them. Why? Because they haven’t had the experiences and nor should we want them too!
Be careful what you say because kids repeat at the worst times: I am sure that adults have had an experience where they made a comment and their kids have repeated it at the worst time. I have seen people wish a hole would swallow them when I share what their kids have repeated. If it is a private, adult concept and conversation then keep it private and behind close doors. Negative feelings about spouses or ex partners, personal adult stories, drug concepts, sexual comments, jokes, your complaints and views about things need to be screened for the sake of your kids. Too many times I have heard “But my mum said…” or “My dad says that…”. Sometimes what follows next shouldn't come from the mouth of any child.
So please, I beg you, for the sake of your children, other children and society in general, keep the adult conversations to the adults! If you want polite, well mannered and positive children who people want to socialise with, then act like a good role model! It is time to keep adult conversations where they belong- with adults!