My 5-yr old is learning words like booty, nuts and weiner. (teaching, parents)

[kutra11]

I was appalled when my 5-yr came home from school today and started telling me "he has a weiner in his pants", 'boys have nuts", and that "a bum is also called a booty"! We have treated all body parts as equal and never taught him that private parts are taboo, so he calls them by their actual names!

He said two boys (of his age) in his class taught him terms like "weiner", "nuts" and the "shake your booty" song. Should I just dismiss this as "boys will be boys" or complain to his clas teacher so she talks to the parents of those two boys?

For now, I kept a straight face when he told me about these terms and acknowledged that that's what they are called. But I told him to continue using the terms that he's been taught. I don't want to make a big deal out of this, if this is just going to be a phase.

Please advise. I am sure there are going to be lot more occasions like these so I would like to know how you handled such cases?

Thanks,
K

[FinsterRufus]

Originally Posted by kutra11

I was appalled when my 5-yr came home from school today and started telling me "he has a weiner in his pants", 'boys have nuts", and that "a bum is also called a booty"! We have treated all body parts as equal and never taught him that private parts are taboo, so he calls them by their actual names!

He said two boys (of his age) in his class taught him terms like "weiner", "nuts" and the "shake your booty" song. Should I just dismiss this as "boys will be boys" or complain to his clas teacher so she talks to the parents of those two boys?

For now, I kept a straight face when he told me about these terms and acknowledged that that's what they are called. But I told him to continue using the terms that he's been taught. I don't want to make a big deal out of this, if this is just going to be a phase.

Please advise. I am sure there are going to be lot more occasions like these so I would like to know how you handled such cases?

Thanks,
K

I tend to agree, about not making a big deal out of it. Although, if MrFinsterRufus is any indication - it's not just a phase.

Sorry - I know this was a serious question, but I'm just giggling out loud at what must have been your priceless reaction.

[Marissy]

He is gonna learn them anyway. The teacher really can't control what the other parents teach their children, unfortunately. But, be blessed that it is those words only. They are fairly mild and innocent compared to what I have heard other 5 year olds talk about in the past! I remember, once, one little boy kept joking about and referencing to sex on the playground! Some people, oh my goodness!

It will be hard though. Most of these words have become mainstream slang. They even play the "shake your booty" song on tv sometimes. I would just remind him what you taught him if you are concerned. Funny enough, if he uses the correct terms, the teachers would be worried and tell him to hush.

I would talk to the teacher if you are that concerned. Again, she probably can't do much.

[hothulamaui]

tell him what "slang" or "nicknames" are and you prefer he uses the proper term.

[Hopes]

The more shocked your response, the more he'll use the terms. It's better to not make a big deal about it.

And don't contact the teacher. It's time to realize that you can't control everything your child hears.

You want to know something ironic? Some parents might be upset that your child teaches their children the real word! LOL

[Zimbochick]

That's pretty much par for the course in elementary school. I really don't know what the fascination is. And not to sound sexist, but girls grow out of this eventually, not so sure about boys.

[omigawd]

Don't make a big deal about it... he's 5 and you have a long way to go. Just tell him like you already told him: you prefer that he use the proper terms for body parts.

Just as an example: When I had my DD in Catholic School, there was a boy in class (1st grade) who taught the other kids curse words, how to give "the finger" and what it meant, etc. I was more than a little annoyed about it but I spoke with my daughter and explained to her that it's not cute, funny, or nice to do that or use those words.

[raggy491]

Originally Posted by Marissy

The teacher really can't control what the other parents teach their children, unfortunately.

There is the main problem. You can teach and work hard with your kids to do the right things. But then when you send them to school, they pick up bad stuff from other kids with parents that dont give a darn about teaching there kids any better.

[rockinmomma]

Do you have only one term for a canine? Or do you call it a dog, pooch, puppy, doggie, woofie, etc? You state you do not treat body parts any different than other things, but it seems you do. Yes, there are anitomical terms for his boy parts, but there are other terms that are acceptable as well. He isn't learning vulgar terms, so let it go, weiner, nuts and booty....eh, could be worse.

[malamute]

You can first tell him he's not to use those words ever in your home, and back it up with a bar of soap to clean out his mouth if he does - or you can just accept it.

All kids will try these words. Kids will even look at their parents and tell them to "F... off" and the parent has 2 options - accept the verbal abuse or don't. Some kids don't even know the meaning of these words when they first try them but some will try to see what they can get by with.