My a-little-over-two-and-a-half year old was quietly playing in her toy room when the summer students were watching a movie after supper. It was some Ben Afleck and Blake Lively movie with a lot of violence and "offensive language".

We didn't realize just how big Little One's ears were until we heard her bang something against the wall and yell, "F@#K! F*^K! F#@K! F^#K!

I looked at the students and said, "Did you hear what I heard?"

Giggles.

Thinking of a way to make this situation light, so that Little One didn't think it was a big deal, I said, "[insert Little One's real name here], would you like a fork for your yogurt or a spoon?"

I brought her to the kitchen and had her repeat the words "fork", "spoon", and "knife" and  clapped emphatically after she repeated the words. She doesn't pronounce the "s" at the beginning of words, so I'm trying to work on that with her. It's actually kind of endearing...and funny.

The other morning, we were having breakfast and she said, "Mommy, I want POON!"

The students and I couldn't help but laugh because if you're from the city, you know that "poon" is also a word used for part of the female anatomy! Okay, it's not a very nice way of saying it! It made the students laugh even more when Little One said, "I want POON! I want to hold it!"

Roaring laughter from everyone except Little One, who looked mildly confused.

Yikes! Young children are very impressionable. Hubby looked at me and said, "You're the linguist. What are you teaching our daughter?!"  He was joking, but I kind of feel like we should not watch TV at all when she's awake. We have to watch what language our visitors use when in her presence. We have to be extra careful and mindful of what we say. Then again, how much is too much and can anyone ever be too careful or protective of what their kids are exposed to? Ack!

Little One has had a word explosion in the past few weeks. I cannot believe my little baby has gone from needing to be coaxed to speak to talking non-stop! Not just that, but the things that come out of her mouth are incredible!

For example:

"Mommy, pick my nose! I have a booger!"

"Daddy, why are you naked?"

"Mommy, wake up! Get out of bed! Get dressed! Look at me!"

"What's that noise?"

"Mommy, I pooped!"

"I need to go toilet!"

"I want that one!"

"I want to go beach!"

"I need to wash hands!"

"CAT!!! Don't poop in the garden! Go away!"


Of course, things aren't always so rosy.  We've been experiencing our share of "I don't want to go to bed right now" and "I don't want to do what you want me to do".

Good times!