So full confession time — my child said his first bad word the other day. And guys… I laughed.

I know, I know. I’m not supposed to. I’m the adult. The responsible one. The example. But let me set the scene…

We’re just going about our day, nothing out of the ordinary, when my son casually responds to me asking how his day was:

“Mommy, today I got k*k sore when I fell.”

(For those who do not understand k*k is equivalent to the word crap) anyways…The sentence. The delivery. The timing. I couldn’t help it — I burst out laughing.

To all the members of the Judging Brigade warming up your fingers to type “But you shouldn’t laugh!”, please… I already know. But in that moment, it was the perfect storm of comedy and shock. His tiny voice saying such a big word — in context, mind you — it caught me completely off guard.

Now, once I composed myself and internally wiped the tears of inappropriate laughter, I sat down to have the talk. The “you can’t say that” talk. I was going to ask him where he heard it, but deep down I knew…If you know me, you know I’m the culprit. I throw that word around far too casually — stub a toe? Someone cuts me off in traffic? Yep, it slips out.

So I did the grown-up thing: I called him over and explained that while I have said that word, it’s not a good word. That even when I say it, it’s usually because I’m angry or frustrated — which still doesn’t make it okay. I told him that using words like that isn’t being kind, and we always want to be kind with our words.

Then came the part that really hit home — his follow-up:“So why do you say it, Mommy?”

OUCH. What a crappy situation (see what I did there?)

That one went straight to the heart. You see, this wasn’t just a funny little parenting moment. It was a reminder — a big one — that they’re always watching. Always listening. And now, they’re starting to contextualise.

It taught me something important: my words matter. Not just in what I say to them, but in what they overhear, what I say to myself, and how I respond to the world around me. Little sir is no longer just absorbing — he’s connecting dots. And those dots lead straight back to me.

So yes, I laughed — human moment. But I also learnt. And so did he.

We’re now on a “kind words only” journey, and trust me, I am the one having to do the most adjusting. Because it’s not just about what we teach them… it’s about what we model for them.

Parenting, man. One moment you’re packing lunchboxes, the next you’re giving mini TED Talks on language and emotional regulation.

But we move.

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus

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