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February 7, 2008
An Aural Treat
I recorded and posted three more podcasts yesterday, although I had a bit of a snotty nose. The new shows are Bad Bride, All About Me, and Bow Chicka Wow Wow. Show notes can be found here.
For those of you who are tuning in, I’m wondering whether I’m recording these at a high enough level. I’d appreciate feedback. Everyone should be able to click and use the pickle player on the left sidebar.
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In other news, Drew and Porter came home from school today and announced who the most popular girl and boy in the third grade are. There was no contest; it seems that two nine-year-olds have throngs of people following them wherever they go.
I was apprehensive after the proclamation was made. I feared that the discussion of “popular” might lead to an analysis of who is least popular, and that’s never a productive conversation.
Instead, we discussed the fact that the boy, thankfully, is kind and polite, which probably accounts for his popularity. It’s always a conundrum trying to explain to your kids why an asshole is worshiped by everyone else.
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The latest expletive in our house:
Drew grabs Porter’s milk at the dinner table and drinks it all.
Porter yells, “What the beep?”
Pros: Not actually cussing. Hilarious to hear, as Porter makes the “beep” sound like a true censorship beep.
Cons: Everyone mentally fills in a cuss word for the beep.
Ban it or let it ride? I need help with this one. After all the years of hearing “penishead” and “fartbreath” being bandied about, “beep” is extremely refreshing.
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One year ago in My Tiny Kingdom: Where All Our Money Went
Posted by Anne Glamore @ 9:23 am • I Birthed 'Em, Now What?, School Today: Eraserboard Jungle Stumble it!
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February 7th, 2008 at 10:00 am, Tina Russell Says:
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Tina Russell
February 7th, 2008 at 10:24 am, Keith Says:
That’s a tough one. You might ask Porter what word he might have been thinking of when he said beep. I would say ban it. The intent is there. Porter knows that if he “fills in” the beep, he gets in trouble. I think he figures that saying beep will keep him out of trouble. “But mom, I didn’t say it!! I said beep!!!” Smart kid you got there!!
February 7th, 2008 at 11:06 am, Lynda Says:
Heh. I would let it go because it’s funny and let’s face it, all the non-offensive exclamations start out as substitutes for the real expletives. “Falkirk” (a small town in central Scotland) is a commonly used expletive in our house. Not by the kids, mind you!
Lynda’s last blog post..Brain block
February 7th, 2008 at 11:10 am, Charlie on PA Tpk Says:
Having had to teach a 3 year old (now 5) that he can’t mimic the favorite phrase Frank Barone (of Everybody Loves Raymond) - Holy Crap - I can relate.
I think let it ride and ignore it; when we say ‘What the HECK’, everyone knows what you could-have-said. So making a beeping issue will only point out the underlying expletive more.
Charlie on PA Tpk’s last blog post..Sage words
February 7th, 2008 at 11:13 am, Headless Mom Says:
Hmmm…I personally don’t let my kids get away with that stuff. As a friend of mine said if you’re gonna say it, say it. The intent is there. But I don’t even let my 17 yo say that stuff-I just can’t stomach it from a kid. (I will come clean and say that I know where they heard it first, though! Guilty as charged!)
Headless Mom’s last blog post..What are you doing for Labor day?
February 7th, 2008 at 11:20 am, Melissa Says:
Although the beep is cute, I’d probably ban it. (Mom of 21 and 17 yo males here) I always tried to redirect my kids into saying something more expressive of their actual thoughts. “What the beep?” would have had me encouraging my son to say “Why are you taking my milk?” or whatever the actual situation was.
That said, even my late pastor, who was the most Godly man I’ve ever known, said “Sometimes ‘Behold!’ doesn’t cut it, even for pastors!”
February 7th, 2008 at 11:24 am, Traci Says:
I may be in the minority here by the end the day - but then again, I let my kids say “suck” so who am I to give advice?
But, I say let it ride. If you don’t make an issue, the novelty, I’m sure, will wear off.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:31 am, Alex Says:
Tough one. My 3 year old has picked up “What the…?” from his dad and it is driving me crazy. When I told hubby that I thought it was inapporpriate, he didn’t understand. He said he thought it was fine because a cuss word wasn’t actually being used. I told him that although he was technically correct, the implication of a cuss word is generally understood by the masses. And, quite frankly, it just doesn’t reflect well on us as parents. Look, it’s just a matter of time before my child (because he is, of course, a genius) figures out that there are actually words that he can fill “What the…” in with, so why not nip it in the bud right now? No comment on who he might learn those “fill-in” words from (cutting eyes over at hubby innocently reading a magazine).
February 7th, 2008 at 12:21 pm, Toni-EvinNRobsMom Says:
Hmmm…this one is tricky. I allow my son to say “crud” rather than crap. It irked me at first, but he’s not running around saying “I gotta take a crud” or anything like that. Maybe you could stike a balance with Porter & tell him that he can only use it when you guys are at home. ‘Cuz Lord knows that Grandma probably doesn’t want to hear “Hey Drew-what the beep are you doing!!!!”
February 7th, 2008 at 12:59 pm, Rick Says:
With me it is not word but the attitude in which it is given. I refuse to punish for words I use in similar cases. Example drop something on the floor at a lousy point in a bad day and say Oh Shit. Son does it occasionally and there is no problem. When I have learned to control my emotions in all instances then I will work on him. Emotion are emotions. If it is just to be cute then beep would be OK in my book. If he is going Beep you and shut the beep up then I would have a problem. We should never let emotions dictate how we repond to others. If I can not do it at work with bosses and customers who mean little to me then I will not do it to my family or others. Private, in your room cooling down, not directly towards someone will pass if it is not in a loud through the door tone. Teaching when, where, then how to resolve conflicts and how then to avoid conflicts is where time is better spent. Using words as weapons to humiliate or wound is will be forbidden and highly punishable. Teaching how to avoid being wounded by understanding why someone is saying this or that and what they are missing in their life (Jesus, Peace, Stable home life, someone to love them …) is more worth the time than worrying about a beep that could be substituted with more congenial terms that convey the same attitude no matter what they are. Just my 2 cents
February 7th, 2008 at 1:02 pm, Cassie Says:
Compromise, tell him you’ll keep mum, just not at the dinner table. I choose my battles, and there are enough as teenagers coming up.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:04 pm, Lauren Says:
Oh my gosh, the mental image of him beeping in a high pitched voice made me laugh out loud. I guess it’s a good thing that he’s not filling in the word on his own.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:17 pm, jean Says:
I say let it go. There are bigger battles to be fought.
On a side note…my friends son was given a lunch time detention for saying the exact same thing. I just about pee’d my pants. A detention? Please. He is 10 and knew that it would annoy the girls if he said it. It worked. The girls ratted him out to the teacher. So again, just let it go. (at least until the grandparents arrive)
February 7th, 2008 at 2:22 pm, Erin Says:
Let the boys beep! It could be so much worse and they’re good kids. They know their “when and wheres” and it’ll surely pass sooner if you ignore it. Lovin’ the extra posts btw.
February 7th, 2008 at 3:02 pm, Jennifer Says:
That’s a pretty clever way of getting around cussing if you ask me!
Jennifer’s last blog post..Watching House Hunters is the Next Best Thing to Being a Voyeur
February 7th, 2008 at 3:19 pm, Candy Says:
I was about to say, let him say beep, cause it’s cute and all. And then I read Rick’s long comment above.
I amend my previous stance. I think if he’s looking at you screaming “SHUT THE BLEEP UP YOU BLEEPING BLEEP!” there might be a problem. Other than that, I say keep it.
Candy’s last blog post..An Interview!
February 7th, 2008 at 3:44 pm, Haley Says:
My mom taught college English when I was younger so there were no *bad* words. However, I had rules. I had to watch my mouth outside the house unless I was with friends. It was nice to know that was one less thing I had to worry about when I got home(we’re talking 14yrs old+). All that being said, I *hate* it when my 3yo says, “What the think?!”
I think what I hate most is that she uses it correctly.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:32 am, lilacspecs Says:
It’s actually a very creative alternative. I’d say keep it. In his head he can be swearing all he wants, but at least he knows how to censor himself around others.
lilacspecs’s last blog post..Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome
February 8th, 2008 at 7:54 am, Katherine Says:
I think I’d allow it as long as its being used in jest, not anger - I’d much rather hear “what the beep” than penishead.
The volume on the podcast seems fine to me. The Bow Chicka Wow Wow had me howling! I’m glad I haven’t had to explain porn to my almost 12 yo. I can’t wait until you get podcasts on iTunes, so I don’t have to wait for an empty house to listen to you!
Katherine’s last blog post..A different perspective
February 8th, 2008 at 10:00 am, nashvegas Says:
I’d let ride. In my house, I discovered that trying to ban “holy crap” only made it that much more appealing.
I’ve always believed that guidelines work, but prohibition doesn’t.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:29 am, Karyn Says:
Tough one… it is pretty funny though, and technically it slides under the radar.
I’d probably try feeding my kid a script for something constructive to say in that situation, ie: “W., keep your hands to yourself - taking my drink is unacceptable. Please get me a new one. If you won’t do the right thing, I will get an adult to help.”
Then again, my kid is six and has Asperger’s and is highly susceptible to retaining “scripts” and a lot of language.
No idea what you do with normal kids.
(I did think of you last night though - while I was watching Project Runway, someone used the word ‘beast’, as in “that is so BEAST”. Thought you’d like to know.)
Karyn’s last blog post..The Greatest Love Of All
February 8th, 2008 at 11:38 am, Andi Says:
In my house it’s my daughter who is trying to curb *my* bad language. I think I’m going to start using “beep” myself!
Andi’s last blog post..Ballroom blitz
February 8th, 2008 at 11:49 am, childsplay Says:
We also get the “bleeeeeeep” at the end of “what the…”
I honestly think my kids don’t have any words to sub in there–they think that’s just the ending…these are kids who still think ’shut up’ is the ’sh’ word. (Homeschooling is cool that way.
)
I let it ride.
I did put a stop to “what the FUH…….” because that’s a little close to home. TV censors are not what they used to be.
childsplay’s last blog post..Science Fun.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:52 am, childsplay Says:
I have to add one more comment…I just read Candy’s reply and I almost peed my pants.
childsplay’s last blog post..Science Fun.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:22 pm, charro Says:
Reminds me of when my now 33 year old would bark at me like a dog instead of talk back. I found myself scolding him..telling him “don’t you bark at me.” He got time out for barking too! It was all in the attitude. Needless to say, at his after rehearsal dinner, his younger brother brought up the barking problem in our house! Funny story NOW . haha
February 8th, 2008 at 3:40 pm, Kelly Says:
Hmmm…boy, aren’t kids creative? I would ask what word are you beeping? And if you are thinking that word, beeping over it isn’t really any different than saying it out loud. To quote Mammy in Gone with the Wind: You can put a mule in a horse harness but he’s still a mule. It is a cute idea though. My mom used to say “song hong I tong” for the “s” word. Sort of a play on pig latin. I thought it was hilarious.
February 9th, 2008 at 6:32 pm, jen Says:
Leave it; many other things he could be saying. This is at least amusing and refreshing.
jen’s last blog post..My not-so-super alter ego
February 10th, 2008 at 7:29 pm, Mishka Says:
Let him beep. I didn’t cuss in front of my parents but that didn’t mean I didn’t cuss. Everyone cusses….it seems that when it is made a big deal out of, it becomes more of a big deal. I think it is more important that kids know when cussing is not appropriate than the actual words themselves (because we all know that there are times when cussing is appropriate). In the US, we could say bloody all day long and not piss anyone off until we were in another country where it wouldn’t be appropriate.
Mishka’s last blog post..The To Do List February