Dear Sandy B: I have a four-year-old daughter who cusses like a sailor. I have done everything that I can think of to try to stop her. I’ve spanked her, popped her in the mouth, made her sit in a corner and punished her by taking away the things that she likes. My daughter has embarrassed me in public and the daycare director where she goes is always complaining to me about her mouth. I am at my wits end about what to do about my daughter’s cussin’. There are times when I really believe that she doesn’t
understand why I fuss at her for what she says. Got any suggestions?
Concerned Mom
Orlando
Dear Concerned Mom: I’m just saying what I’m saying now, and I ain’t talkin’ about you unless the “shoe fits.” Somebody close to your daughter has a “mouth like a sailor”, and she is a great imitator. I know for a fact that she did not exit your wound cussin’ instead of crying. I suggest that you start with puttin’ in check the foul mouth person she’s imitating. Since you have not had any success with the techniques you’ve tried, I suggest that you try the old fashion way.
Each time “little mama” cusses, you take her to a sink and wash her mouth with SOAP. She will kick and fight, but don’t give up; soap ain’t gonna kill her. If you can’t get to a sink, take both of her little lips together and twist them around hard. I’ve done this with my own and grands, and they hate to see me coming if they’ve said what they know ain’t right. Girlfriend will get the message. Good Luck!
Dear Sandy B: I met this really nice guy who told me he was a retired engineer. We dated for two months and he wined and dined me and was very romantic. It has been three months that we have been living together, and I have not seen a cent of the money that he says he has or is coming. When I raise the issue, he seems to have a great story. Recently we went to the supermarket together and purchased a fair amount of groceries and household goods. When we got the register, he started pulling things aside. When I asked him what he was doing, he said he would pay for those things and I could pay for the rest.
I couldn’t believe that I was hearing right. I was so angry I just paid for everything. There was a big argument when we got home. I think I should kick him out.
Gloria
Orlando
Dear Gloria: THINK? What is there to think about? Kick that brother to the curb with that portion of the groceries that he wanted to pay for by the next day. Consider yourself lucky that he showed his tail at the beginning of the game. Boyfriend is a “sorry dude” and ain’t nothin’ but a “con”.
