The Sadness of Swearing

It was another "reveal all" day with mom and daughters in the Walls household.  Fifth grade is wearing me thin!
 Our middle daughter was beside herself after school today... because of all the swearing!  Growing up is tough.  Knowing grownup things when you are 10 is redunkulous!  I couldn't believe everything she was asking and telling about what she hears on the bus and at school.  So, we sat down and one by one I had to explain what is a bad word, what isn't, what they mean, if I have ever said them, and WHY do the kids have to use these words. I can't believe this is what is on her heart and mind all day long at school.    I can't believe I had to use fun family time to explain words my girls have never heard before to them...  I was proud... for a moment.
Truly, it was overwhelming.  I am sad.  Sad for my daughters that they now know all of this icky stuff from mouths of babes.  I'm even more sad for the parents that have no clue their children talk like sailors,  don't reprimand their kids for using these kinds of words, or frankly allow it because it is easier than teaching the right way to behave.
I encouraged the girls to:  1- ignore when they hear these words; 2 - Pray for the person who is using them that they would make a better choice; 3- Set the example (which is really hard to do) with better choice words or asking someone to STOP filling their mind with garbage;  4 do what Jesus would do; and 5- in the words of my daughter, "Think about rainbows and unicorns!"

Now to challenge grown ups and parents.  Kids first hear bad words at home.  They spread to the bus (where we all know is the worst place on earth).  Swearing becomes a game in the classroom not to get caught, and then screamed randomly in the hallways to whoever can hear.   Let's do something about the never ending epidemic of, in truth,  looking and sounding really stupid because we can't think of something better to say.

Continually grateful for the cross!