I have a fondness for colorful language. There’s something incredibly liberating and satisfying about unleashing a well-placed curse. When life throws a curveball, there’s really nothing like letting out a hearty “Crap!” to express your feelings. It’s a word that captures those moments perfectly.
However, I don’t let the expletives fly as often as I’d like, mainly because I understand there are appropriate times and places for such expressions. I try to keep my cursing to more private settings, like at home with my partner. Unfortunately, my kids are also part of that equation.
For quite some time, I made a concerted effort to watch my language. I was careful about when I allowed myself to slip, hoping my kids wouldn’t catch on. It was a tough battle, but I soldiered on for their sake. Yet, as time went by, it became harder to suppress my natural inclinations. As moms, we’re expected to give up so much for our little ones—late nights, carefree days, a bit of our own identities. I genuinely tried to cut back on the swearing, but it just didn’t stick. To me, cursing is as instinctive as breathing. Honestly, after becoming a parent, the temptation to swear only seems to grow.
Eventually, I found myself occasionally slipping. What started with a “darn” or “heck” quickly escalated to the more potent words. As my children matured, so did my vocabulary of choice expletives. It became almost automatic for me to let loose a curse when they’d test my patience, which, let’s face it, is often.
And you know what? Those choice words can be quite effective. A straightforward, “Dang it, Leo, I told you no more candy!” gets the message across much faster than, “Now, what did I say about snacks before dinner?” Similarly, “You’re in big trouble” tends to hit home harder than, “I’m quite disappointed in your recent grades.” And I’ll admit, a well-timed “You’re full of it” can express disbelief much more accurately than, “I find it hard to believe your device just broke all by itself when I found it in your jeans pocket after doing laundry.”
Initially, I hesitated about my language, but then I thought, “Who cares? This is who I am.” I’m not advocating for cursing all the time, and I do try to keep it to a minimum around the kids. You don’t want it to lose its impact. I’ve also pondered the kind of role model I’m being—twelve-year-olds dropping f-bombs isn’t exactly charming. But let’s be real; I know my kids have picked up some language of their own. They’re at that age when kids start to experiment with words, and they need to learn the right time and place for it—definitely not around me or out in public. It’s a bit of a double standard, but as the adult, I get to set the rules.
In most aspects, I consider myself a responsible parent. I ensure my kids get enough sleep, eat healthily, finish their homework, maintain good hygiene, and treat others with kindness. This is simply one area where I fall short. And honestly, I just don’t care that much.
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In summary, I embrace my colorful vocabulary, and while I strive to be a good role model, I also recognize my humanity. Parenting is tough, and sometimes, a good curse word just feels right.