Parenting is tough, and finally, researchers from various fields have confirmed what many of us already suspected: swearing can actually be a sign of integrity! Can I get a loud A-freaking-men?!
In a two-part study, findings revealed that those who frequently use profanity are often better at expressing their emotions, and interestingly, the more someone swears, the more likely they are to be truthful. “The consistent findings across the studies suggest that the positive relation between profanity and honesty is robust,” the research states.
I’ve always been the type of person who hears comments like, “You say exactly what I’m thinking!” or “I appreciate your honesty!” Perhaps it’s because while I was unearthing the hard truths of motherhood, I was unconsciously tossing in a few F-bombs here and there. I can only imagine that my rants like, “Nursing is a total nightmare!” or “This feels like torture!” helped others see my honest side. Now I’ve got the science to back me up, folks. And you’re welcome for normalizing the struggle!
As I approach my 19th year of motherhood, I realize I wouldn’t have survived some of those exhausting and emotionally draining days without articulating my frustrations with a bit of colorful language. I mean, when you’re navigating a house full of kids and feeling like a zombie, doesn’t it feel more authentic to exclaim, “How the heck did this happen?!” Absolutely! So let your inner wild mom shine—honesty is the best policy, right?
Of course, I’m aware that my penchant for expressing honest feelings has influenced my four sons, and yes, they’ve developed quite the sailor vocabulary. But honestly, I’m totally cool with it. In fact, research indicates that those who can seamlessly integrate curse words into their speech tend to have a richer vocabulary overall.
Take my oldest son, for example. He had no qualms expressing his teenage angst with an assortment of expletives that could make a truck driver blush. Yet despite his colorful language, he scored in the 99th percentile on his college entrance exams. His vocabulary has always been ahead of the curve, only getting more “colorful” in his teen years.
Now, I don’t let my teens unload a barrage of swear words at inappropriate times—like in church or at their jobs. Thankfully, they’ve inherited my knack for knowing when it’s socially acceptable to vent a “What the heck?!” out loud and when to keep those thoughts to themselves.
I’m just grateful that, in an era where most teens retreat to their rooms and shut their parents out, I’ve cultivated an environment where they feel free to express their true thoughts. If that means they need to kick off a conversation with, “Mom, some crazy stuff happened at school today,” then bring it on, I’m listening!
Perhaps if society allowed a few honest F-bombs in our daily discourse, we wouldn’t be grappling with “alternative facts” at every turn. Now that sounds like a news broadcast I wouldn’t miss!
For more on navigating the ups and downs of parenting, check out our post on home insemination as a tool for building your family. And if you’re curious about alternative options, visit Make A Mom for expert insights into at-home insemination kits. For additional resources on fertility during these times, Facts About Fertility offers valuable information that’s worth a look.
In summary, embracing honesty—even if it comes with a few choice words—might just be the key to better parenting and stronger communication with our kids. So go ahead, let those expletives fly and know that it’s all part of the journey!