Kids & Cussing

One of the highlighted stories on aol.com this morning was the controversy regarding a recent episode of ABC's hit show Modern Family. The toddler in the show uses a word that shocks and surprises her parents and it has some advocacy groups less than thrilled.

Today's Topic: Kids & Cussing

 Click Here for the Video Clip from the current episode. Obviously the bad word has been bleeped out, but it is evident what Lily is saying. One parent, Cam, couldn't help himself by responding with laughter, only adding fuel to the fire as Lily used the word multiple more times.

I think most parents have witnessed their children saying something along these lines, and usually in the most inappropriate of situations. They are little sponges and once that age, they repeat everything they hear.

So here are several questions to ponder: Do you have a problem with ABC airing an episode that features a toddler using choice words? Have your children, or children you know, been in a similar situation and what was your response? What do you think parents should do if they find themselves in this position with their child?

Lindsey's Response:

First of all, OF COURSE I have been in this situation. Luckily only around the house so I wasn't embarrassed in front of a group of strangers, or you know, in the middle of church. My 2 year old likes movies that are slightly out of her age group, such as Home Alone, The Sandlot and Goonies. There is definite cussing in these shows and while the "F-word" isn't used, plenty of others are. And my little genius can recite these movies word for word so a few "Shits, Damns and Ass's" have come out of her mouth.

And my honest "Mother of the Year" response is laughter. In fact, a couple of times my husband and I have asked her to say the line from the movie again just so we could hear her say the naughty word. Horrible parenting? Probably. But at this age, I feel like it is completely harmless. To her, Shit is the same as Cookie. It's just a word. While I don't want her to make any of these cuss words part of her everyday vocabulary, which they most certainly aren't, I don't mind if she says them every once in awhile while watching some of her favorite shows. She only says them because they are part of the script. To her, the lines, "I'm living alone! I'm living alone!" and "I wouldn't let you sleep in here if you were growing on my ass," mean the same thing - Home Alone.

If she has ever said these choice movie lines while not watching the show, I make sure to tell her she can't and isn't supposed to say that, which she only just looks at me confused so I doubt my words of wisdom are really sinking in.

As far as Modern Family goes, I really have no problem with what they aired in their episode. I do not watch the show, although I wish I did. I am the type that can't jump into a sitcom in the middle of it so until I have the time to start from Season 1, Modern Family will just have to go on without me. But, I feel like they were just using a topic that is common in a lot of households today and were trying to be funny about it. If this little girl's parents had no problem with her saying what she was saying for acting purposes, then I guess I don't either. I just hope she doesn't take her new word with her offset!

Please let us know what you think! Leave your comments here on the blog or on the Letters to Lindsey Facebook page! If you have an idea for a topic or a question you want answered, please email LettersToLindseyBlog@gmail.com!

Thanks For Reading,

Lindsey