Why Do Children Love the Word "Butt"?

I tried everything, just about. Firm voice, time out, restriction from everything except food...Then turned the wheel 180 degrees and tried the ignorant approach (which I just see as condoning).

However, that word has continued to linger...that word which is music to his ears and brings him such joy...that word which magically turns his melancholy moment into a circus of laughter...that word which once heard is followed by ten minutes of giggly repetition like Chinese water torture to my ears...that word...Butt.



I've heard the giggles are normal, and I've taken care of enough children over the years to definitely agree. Children just love it. The question is, what IS the right way to handle it? Let's just go the traditional route and examine the results...

1. Firm voice. "Daniel, I've told you that it's inappropriate to say that word. You're talking about privates, and that's why they're called 'privates', because you aren't supposed to share them with the world.
Worked for one day.
2. Threats. "That's enough, Daniel. You're going to have to go in your room for a time out." Worked for one day.
3. Restriction. Well, that doesn't work with Daniel because he's a total homebody and threatening to keep him home is like threatening him with Spongebob.
Worked for one day.
4. Ignoring. Yeah... Pretty funny. Makes for good parenting when your child says it right in front of you and you say nothing.
Worked for one day (on my end).

Of course, this blog isn't only about butts. As we parents know, the list is more lengthy than that. There's also fart, poop, turd, and all the other bodily functions/anatomical words they've been exposed to at their age (not my fault, of course). Anyway, I made a breakthrough and thought I'd share it with my fellow flustered parents. So, feel free to apply the following advice to any word that your child tortures you with the most...

5. Positive reinforcement. No brainer, right? Keep reading. I'm getting specific.

Get a jar or cup, let them decorate a piece of paper with a plethora of words that will brainwash them into wanting to be mannerly, like "I'm smart", "I've got class", "Manners show I care", "People smile when I'm polite", and stuff like that. Then, tape the paper to the cup and tell them that for each polite or mannerly act they will get a nickle in the cup. However, for every inappropriate word they say, a nickle comes out. Then, you're recognizing the positive, yet not ignoring the negative. If they have no nickles at the end of the week, reassure them that next week will be better because they're practicing, and everyone gets better with practice.

Worked for a few weeks. Success!!!

Yeah, a few weeks isn't into adulthood. However, they do eventually grow out of it, and at least you countered it with a little dose of self confidence and focused on why it's important to be mannerly, instead of just focusing on that word. After all, as "Dr. Phil" says, "We're not raising children, we're raising adults".