How to Stop Cussing Around Your Parents or Other Adults

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 19, 2023 References

Swearing in front of adults can get you into trouble when you are young, but it can cause other problems as well. Frequent swearing can make people feel uncomfortable, make you seem immature, or even cause people to become offended.^{[1]
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Research source} If you want to quit swearing around adults, there are several things that may help you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Plan

1
Set a goal and write it down. If you want to stop swearing around your parents and other adults for good, then you will need to put it in writing. Writing down a goal and looking at it a few times per day is the best way to start making it happen.^{[2]
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- Try to be as detailed as possible when you write out your goal. Who do you want to stop swearing around? What do you need to stop saying? What can you do or say instead of swearing? How will you reward yourself when you succeed?
- Keep your goal in your wallet or purse so that you can pull it out and read it a few times each day.
2
Work on alternate ways to express your emotions. Swearing is a powerful way to express emotions and that is why some people may find it hard to stop.^{[3]
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Research source} Take a moment to think about when you tend to swear the most. For example, do you swear more when you are angry? Excited? Anxious? Is there a particular topic of conversation that makes you swear? Do you cuss a lot while watching or playing a certain sport? Identify your reasons and work on an alternate way of expressing your emotions.^{[4]
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Research source} For example:
- If you tend to swear when you get angry, try taking a walk when you start to feel angry.
- If you tend to swear when you accidentally hurt yourself, try substituting made-up words instead.
- If you tend to swear when you are watching a sporting event, try getting a noisemaker and use it in place of swearing.
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3
Reward yourself. If you avoid swearing around parents and adults for a set period of time, that accomplishment may be enough of a reward. But you may also find it helpful to set a reward for yourself.^{[5]
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- For example, if you go 30 days without swearing around adults, then maybe you can splurge on a new video game or t-shirt. Pick something that you know that you can buy for yourself, but don't buy it until you reach your goal.
4
Apologize if you slip. Chances are that you will slip sometimes, and that is normal. Forgive yourself if you make a mistake and make sure that you apologize right away. Explain to people that you are trying to stop swearing so much, but sometimes you slip.^{[6]
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- Try saying something like, “I’m sorry about that. I am trying to pay closer attention to my language, but sometimes I slip.”

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Suppressing and Disguising Cuss Words

1
Give yourself a time delay. Even if we are planning to do or say something, your brain is capable of canceling the action in the quarter of a second before the action happens. You can take advantage of your brain’s natural ability to cancel words and actions by getting into the habit of pausing before you say anything. If you are about to swear, then you have the option to cancel that action.^{[7]
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2
Disguise bad words with added words, syllables, or sounds. If a swear word starts slips out, you can cover it up by adding on an additional word or syllable, thus turning it into an acceptable expression. For example, try turning “Sh__” into “Shiitake Mushrooms” (pronounced shi-TAH-kay mushrooms). This can be helpful if you swear without meaning to and you need to cover it up in a hurry.^{[8]
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- Doing this is kind of funny, and it might make parents laugh instead of getting mad at you.
- If you can’t think of a way to disguise a swear word, then try clapping your hands or making another loud noise at the same time.
3
Replace cuss words with fake cuss words. When you feel like you need to swear, you may find it helpful to use use milder words to satisfy your urge. For example, you can say things like, “Fudge,” “Heck,” "Sugar," or “Frick.”^{[9]
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4
Expand your vocabulary. Some people swear as part of their regular vocabulary, which can make it hard to stop. If swearing is a staple in your vocabulary, then try learning a new word each day and see how many times you can use it.
- For example, you might learn the word “antediluvian,” which means that something is out of date or old-fashioned.^{[10]
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  Research source} Then if you became frustrated with your computer, you could say something like, “I hate this antediluvian computer!”

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Staying Motivated

1
Find a buddy. People tend to have more success at accomplishing goals when they have a buddy.^{[11]
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Research source} If you have a friend or sibling who has the same problem as you, then ask if he or she would like to team up with you. You can help keep each other accountable and encourage each other when you do well.
2
Start a swear jar. If you are really serious about stopping, put 50 cents or a dollar into a jar every time you swear in front of an adult or parent. Commit to giving that money away to a friend or sibling. This will negatively affect your wallet. It is an effective way of punishing yourself to stop swearing.^{[12]
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- If you lack willpower and will end up cheating and spending the money yourself, give control over the jar to a friend, sibling, or even a parent.
- As the jar fills up, think of all the junk food, games, and other awesome stuff you could have bought with the money.
3
Wear an elastic band on your wrist. Each time you swear in front of a parent or adult, pull it back and give yourself a hard snap. Doing this will teach you to associate cussing with stinging pain, which should make it easier to stop. Also consider asking a friend or sibling to snap the elastic if you cuss. Just remember that you asked them to do it!^{[13]
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- Don’t wear an elastic band that is so tight it will cut off circulation.
- Avoid a super thick elastic that could break the skin.

Warnings

Cussing directly at teachers or principals can have bad consequences. You might get suspended from school or even expelled if you swear them repeatedly.

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