Tayshaun Asks about Cursing

You may remember a couple of years ago when Tayshaun got caught a few times swearing and eventually got soap in his mouth to help him remember not to curse. Well, he's done pretty well keeping curse words out of Mommie's earshot. I haven't heard a thing. But I still cringe when I hear him say "balls".... guess it's a guy thing or something.

But the other day on the ride home from preschool, Tayshaun and I had a conversation about cursing. Here's about how it went....

Tayshaun: Why is it bad to say swear words, Mom?

Me: It's just disrespectful to use words like that.

Tayshaun: Is it bad for kids to say them or is it bad for adults to say them too?

Me: (kinda laughing - 'cause Tayshaun hears me curse all the time, especially when I'm running late--which is usually ALWAYS) Yea, it's not good for either adults nor kids to say them.

Tayshaun: Mom, what's the worst swear word ever?

Me: Hmmmmm, I guess the "F" word is the worst.

Tayshaun: Well, I think the "E" word is the worst.

Me: (chuckling..and thinking to myself, did they come up with some new urban slang curse words I don't know about 'cause I can't think of a frikkin' swear word that starts with "E".) Oh yea? What's the "E" word?

Tayshaun: Yea, right Mom...I can't say the "E" word.

Me: (luckily I'm driving and Tayshaun can't see me laughing in the front seat) That's ok. You can whisper it just this once - but then never again, k?

Tayshaun: No, Mom, I can't say the "E" word.

Me: (well, my curiosity has got the better of me now so he could shout it out for all I care but I'm going to hear the "E" word) Just tell me, Tayshaun. I'm not sure what the "E" word is.

Tayshaun: so he whispers...."Holy Shit"

Me: (ok so now I'm full-out laughing. I can't hold it anymore. I'm even kinda choking.) Yea, Holy Shit is kind of a bad one, too. Thanks for letting me in on what the "E" word is.

Tayshaun: And guess what, Mom? When big things are happening at school, Dominic M sometimes says Crap, Holy Shit, and Fuck and then he totally gets in trouble. And Mom...Dominic would be your worst nightmare.

Me: (ok, all those swear words coming out of Tayshaun's mouth just didn't sound right - but I'm busting up with a straight face, now. Geez, this boy is crazy!!!) Well, Tayshaun it doesn't matter what other kids or people do or say so long as we (but what I reallly mean is...You) do the right thing. So no swearing, K? Just ignore Dominic when he swears. And don't laugh when he does it, K?

Tayshaun: I know Mom.

What am I going to say when he asks me how babies are born? I hope that doesn't happen until he's 12 and learns about it in the puberty orientation at school. Oh My God...I mean Gosh!