A couple of years back, my partner made a bold commitment to our kids: every time one of us swore, we’d toss a quarter into the infamous Swear Jar. Once the jar was full, the loot would belong to them. First off: seriously? And secondly: are you kidding me?
I dropped in a ten-spot right away, explaining that I was prepaying for summer. The kids were bewildered. They can’t grasp money yet, believing all paper bills equal a million bucks, so they were thrilled.
My partner, however, took the challenge seriously and nearly emptied our savings by the time autumn rolled around. After the kids cashed in, we quickly reverted to our old ways. Here are five reasons why I’ll keep swearing freely:
- I’m an Adult.
Sure, being an adult isn’t as glamorous as I thought it would be (I imagined settling down with a dreamy guy while effortlessly handling life’s chaos). But one real perk of adulthood is the freedom to express myself however I please—without fear of getting sent to my room. Hell yeah! - They’re Just Kids.
I know I’m supposed to be a role model. That’s why I wear pants when dropping them off at school—even if I could just rock my pajamas. But they’re still learning the ropes. Until they’re grown, it’s “do as I say, not as I do.” They can’t swear, drive, use the toaster, cross the street solo, or sip on watermelon martinis. I like to leave them with something to aspire to! - Kids Speak in Nonsense.
With children, everything turns into baby talk, euphemisms, and a language only they understand. Making a tinkle, going night-night, using our words—sometimes, I can’t keep up. Strategic swearing cuts through that clutter. When my sweet little guy purposely upset his sister, I looked him dead in the eye and said, “Quit being a little brat to your sister.” The big blink he gave me told me loud and clear: I meant business. - Parenting Is a Series of “WTF” Moments.
I need a real outlet for my feelings as I deal with Lego pieces embedded in my foot, retrieve socks from the toilet (“But Mom! It looked like a paper towel!”), or bake 24 cupcakes at 1 a.m. for a class party. I need everyone to just calm down so I can sort it all out! - I’ve Sacrificed So Much Already.
Motherhood is a trade-off. I’ve given up sleep, sanity, my favorite music, career dreams, and even the joy of wearing nice clothes. Do I really have to give up my way of communicating too? Oh, hell no!
So, if you’re one of those parents who managed to keep it together without dropping a single curse word through all the chaos of sleepless nights and toddler tantrums, congrats! But just a heads up, your little angel might want to bring earmuffs for playdates at my house because they’ll likely hear some real talk.
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Summary
In this light-hearted article, Jenna Thompson humorously explains her perspective on swearing in front of her kids, dismissing the notion that she should censor herself. She shares five reasons why she feels comfortable expressing herself freely, highlighting the realities of adult life, the innocence of childhood, and the many sacrifices of motherhood.