Cleaning it up

Over the past year and a half or so, I've gotten a bad habit. I've started cussing. Now, though I have always uttered the occasional profanity, it has never been as bad as it is now.

It's no coincidence that I started cussing more once the baby was born. Let's face it people, there's more to cuss about when you've got a little one.

But now that Clay is starting to talk, I have GOT to reign it in. Seriously. So, this weekend, I started wearing a rubber band around my wrist. Whenever I caught myself saying a bad word, I popped myself with it.

On Saturday, my wrist was pretty red. Yesterday, less so. I've had a few lapses already today, but I feel like things are looking up.

I'm *hoping* to be mostly profanity-free in a week or so. Thoughts, prayers, and any Christmas miracles you want to send my way would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

Miss Lippy said…
I suggest making up your own word that works instead of swear words. My kids yell, "Shut the front door," when they want to say something much, much worse. Also, they say "David Hasselhoff" with some regularity, and it can sub in for just about any swear word.
See I love profanity. It's like the lousiana hot sauce and garlic of language.
Nicole Bradshaw said…
Miss Lippy - I'm lovin' the "David Hasslehoff" idea! That one's a keeper.

Boyd - While I agree with you in theory, I do not want my child to be the language Paul Prudhomme of his daycare class.
Kayra said…
That's a great idea about the rubber band. I'm with you on the child-profanity link. I have 3 kids, including a set of twins, so you can imagine how much cussing has been incorporated into my language
Sandi said…
Trust me, the first time he repeats a dirty word you say, it will break you for good. I know you don't want it to get to that, but really, that's all it takes.

[sigh]

In the meantime, you could try a trick my old boss used to do. Whenever he'd be tempted, he'd shout, "dirty word!" Everyone would crack up and it would diffuse whatever was going on.
Brogan said…
Your no cussing rule can't apply in pooh halls. Cussing is as much a part of the pool hall culture as chalk and bank shots.