OK, You Win, I'll Stop

Many of you know, that are within earshot of me, that I freely use 4-letter expletives. My belief is that why should I use some made up word that the FCC deems is appropriate. I can say "No friggin' way", but as soon as I say the alternative version, I am looked at through glaring eyes for being a bad person. Last time I checked, they meant exactly the same thing. It's like a voice activated time bomb. If you say "frig", all is ok. But, if you say "f***", the bomb explodes and everyone dies. It doesn't make any sense.

And for those that would like to group those words with the likes of n***** or k***, I strongly disagree. Those word are demeaning and meant to put people down. Use f*** or s***, doesn't insult someone's being like the aforementioned words. You will never hear me use n***** or k***. Ever. I do not condone their usage, like I do f*** and s***.

With that all said, I am still going to try (and I mean try) to stop using f*** and s***. "Why?" you might ask. Well, we all do crazy things for our children. While the use of them never seemed to impact Hanna and her growing vocabulary list, Jacob is another story. He has started to incorporate it into his vernacular.

My first thought was shock. Just like every parent, my son shouldn't talk like this. However, after thinking about, I realized he was just doing what I always did. He was repeating me and my usage of free speech. Nevertheless, the people who run the daycare center he attends do not feel it is appropriate for a 4-year old to say "Holy S***!!" or "What the f***?". How close-minded can one be? :-) At least I can be proud of the fact that he used them in the proper context.

But, it is easier to change my ways then to teach Jacob that others are not as open-minded as I am. So, for that, I am going to try and eliminate the use of those words. It's not going to be easy. But, nothing worthwhile ever is. I hope that one day Jacob can appreciate this gesture. If not, he can go "f***" himself. But, until then, I love him.