So, does anyone else out there struggle with how much to intervene with your kids and their friends, or is it just me?
Yesterday, N was playing with his neighbor friends (they are all older than him by a minimum of 2 years). Sometimes this is great - like when they teach him how to play 4-square or convince him that it's time to ditch the training wheels!
But....sometimes, it's not so good....like yesterday....
I was pulling L down the street in the wagon and I notice foul language coming from the boys. N comes running over to me and tells me what they said. Now, I'm not ready for my sweet little kindergarten boy to start this kind of language (I know it will come soon enough unfortunately) So, I debate, do I say anything? Or do I just mind my own business and go on...
Well, you know me, I couldn't let it go, so I went over to the boys and told them I didn't want them talking like that around Nicholas. One of them tells me, "we were just talking boy-talk" I reminded him that N is much younger than they are. UGH - I'm so not ready for that!
So, I need some feedback, did I do the right thing? Or should I have just let "boys be boys"?
3 comments:
You know what I think from reading my post about it! I definately intervene, tell them it's not acceptable, and not part of 'being a boy'. As I said in my post, I even addressed it with the parent! You go girl! It's part of our mission to be the light!
Since when is it okay for children to use bad language? I'd like to know who told them that is was okay because it's "boy talk?" I would have definitely said something too. It is our responsibilty as adults to guide and teach. I would chat with the parents. You never know, they may not even know about it.
Jen,
I reflected on this over night. Mom and I talked about it last night; that all the adult men in our families have sufficient command of the English language to be able to speak so that others do not take offense. And that I think is the secret. You want your son to consider the words he says before he says them. That discipline will pay off in more ways than just his use of these particular street words.
At the same time, these are boys. And it is not the end of the world if boys say these words.
For a boy, the choice ought not be between being masculine and choosing the right words. Both goals are achievable and desirable. If only Mom ever speaks to the issue ... well, here's where Dad's words go a long way.
Dad
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