Bad Words

I was in the second grade at Norris School, the only school in Norris.  It was grades 1-12; it would be another year before Norris Elementary was built and opened.  So we little kids were used to being around big kids.  It was good and bad:  good to be near older brother, good to be near our babysitter, good to know and be known about just about everyone in town.  On the other hand, we little kids were exposed to "language,"  slang, cursing...some of the bad things that some teenagers were prone to say and do.

One fine morning, another child  told me to "shut up!"  Now, that was a bad thing, to the ears of this seven-year-old.  It was a forbidden phrase at our house.  Under no circumstances would we be allowed to say such a thing.  So...I immediately fell into a heap of tears.  Nothing Mrs Gale said or did comforted me.  When all else failed, she sent for my big brother, age 9 1/2, to come comfort Little Nancy.  He did, and I dried up...Such a good brother.

The above situation came to my mind this morning when I read an article entitled, "10 Words Moms Shouldn't Use Around Their Kids."   Here is the list:

1.   Hate - instead say "I don't care for" for "isn't one of my favorites"
2.   Bad  - things we do are "bad" but people aren't
3.   Stupid - no one wants to be called "stupid"
4.   Retard - very demeaning.  And hurtful to those who have challenged children
5.   Gay - the obvious
6.   Shut up - My mother's rule still applies
7.   Dumb - not nice
8.   Loser - don't want to set up self-fulfilling prophecy
9.   No - necessary sometimes but not to be overused
10. God - as in OMG or taken in vain

I think this is a pretty good list.  Just common sense, really.  Hollywood wouldn't agree with any of these, probably.  And we know what a strong influence Hollywood (unfortunately) has on our society.  But as for me, I'm so glad to see the list published and shared on a site seen by many young parents.

Call me old-fashioned.  Fine.  I think this list could rejuvenate an age-old practice of being polite, thoughtful, kind...instead of trendy, aloof, or rude.  We could also teach, "If it's not nice, then don't say it."

Just some thoughts for today from a grandmother who remembers a day in second grade...and who would like to see a little more civility in this big ole world.