“Shut the f@&! Up!!!!!!!!!!!!”
From Overheard in PDX:
Pottymouth
Little girl in a stroller about 2 1/2, speaking to caretaker:
“Shut the fuck up.”
Caretaker (laughing a bit):
“Hey. I love you”
Little girl:
“Shut the fuck up, shut the FUCK up, shut the FUCK up.” (laughing)
Caretaker (to horrified passengers):
“Oh, ha ha she learned that in daycare. We just ignore it. ”
Little girl (leaning over in stroller and spitting several times on the floor):
“Shut the FUCK up. Shut the FUCK up, Shut the FUCK up”. (Spits on the floor a few more times before continuing her mantra.)
Caretaker: (Calling the father of this child on her cell phone):
“Yeah, she’s saying shut the “F” up, you know, in that cute little voice of hers.”
– Eastbound MAX on way home from work 7/25/07
— Overheard by Dyana, who writes:
(At this point, I am waiting for the girl’s head to rotate 360, and for her to puke pea soup.)
Wacky Mommy says: People, “No” is a complete sentence. Say “no” to children like this. Do not say they have a “cute little voice.” Do not just ignore the behavior. Do not laugh and giggle. Do not say “Gentle!” over and over until I am tempted to throw something at you. Say “no” and head for home.
, 
.
I wonder if it will still be “cute” when she is a teen and talking to them like that?
July 30th, 2007 | #
I read that over at Overheard in… and felt my blood pressure rise 10 points. Totally agree with you – NO is not a dirty word; keeping the child away from anything fun for a few days might just cure her of the habit (using the ‘if..then’ rule – the ‘if you do it, then we go..’ lecture each of my kids got before walking into a store, restaurant, park, playground, what have you…
July 30th, 2007 | #
I learned this trick from Zip — when the kids act up at the restaurant, I ask the waiter to pack up our order to go and we’re gone.
I’ve had to do this twice, total. Once was when they were literally placing the plates on the table. I just said, take ’em back, we’re out of here. When the kids saw I meant it then it was no longer a problem. We’ve also had moratoriums on trips to the park, children’s museum and restaurants, until they learn to behave.
July 30th, 2007 | #
Tough call. I’m a big fan of “No” (and many gentler forms, such as “…and I wish I could get it for you.” or “Yeah, wanting something and then not getting it does suck, doesn’t it?!” or “I feel ya, I really do. I can’t do/get/let you have the thing, but I feel ya.”
But I also have been in that position where it’s not my actual kid and I’m really nervous about stepping in on certain situations. So I could imagine that if I were that nanny/caregiver, and I was possibly already a little nervous about keeping my job, I might call my boss first and gently inform them of the misdeed, and ask for direction or permission or whatever. I’m not sayin’ that’s what happened, I’m just sayin’ maybe.
July 31st, 2007 | #
Oh my gosh!! Terrible!!
August 1st, 2007 | #