My husband and I have a 7-year-old, “Alyssa,” and a 5-year-old, “Chase.” A few weeks ago, my mother-in-law had a stroke while my husband was away on a business trip, so I left my kids with my brother, “Kevin,” and his wife while I went to stay with her until my sister-in-law could get there.
Now that we’re all back at home together, the kids won’t stop swearing (as in every filthy expletive and phrase ever invented). My husband and I make it a point not to use profanity around our kids and we are careful about what they are allowed to see on TV and online, so this has been a real shock to us.
Well, it turns out that Kevin recently acquired a parrot from a friend who could no longer keep it (that much I knew); what he didn’t tell me was that the friend had taught the parrot curses and obscene phrases, which the bird spews out nonstop. This is what Chase and Alyssa were inundated with the entire time they were at his home.
Punishing my kids for using this foul new vocabulary has had limited results. They find it hilarious and when they think they are out of earshot, the cursing resumes. I have told my brother that as long as he has the parrot, we will no longer be visiting. I am furious at him. I can’t believe he exposed my kids to language this vulgar. I feel like he’s ruined them (if I could sue him for damages, I would). How do I deal with this?
—Peeved Over Polly’s Potty-Mouth
https://slate.com/advice/2024/07/brother-talking-parrot-kids-parenting-advice.html