How to Stop Your Spouse From Swearing

A swearing spouse can be a problem. Profanity and bad language sound ugly and angry, and they set a bad example for the kids. Here are some ways to get your spouse to stop using four-letter words.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Swear Jar

1. Tell your spouse that foul language upsets you. Explain why, and ask your spouse to stop swearing or at least cut back.

2. Remind your spouse--gently. If a bad word slips out, give your spouse a nudge or a glare.

3. Choose your battles. If your spouse casually and frequently drops profanity into conversation, it's not unreasonable to ask him or her to stop. But after your spouse has smashed a finger with a hammer, that's probably not the best time to say, "Watch your language!"

4. Offer rewards and consequences. Make your spouse drop a dollar in a Swear Jar for every slip. Give your spouse a backrub if he or she makes it all the way through the football season without cursing at the TV. These are little things, but they will help make your spouse aware of his or her language.

5. Get your kids involved. It seems like less of a nag when Junior asks Daddy to please stop saying naughty words because it makes him feel bad. This will also help teach your kids that swearing is inappropriate.

6. Set an example. Practice what you preach. Choose mild language yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Speech patterns are deeply ingrained by the time we are adults. It may take patience and persistence to delete bad language from your spouse's speaking habits.
• Save the Swear Jar money for a nice family dinner out.
• Words like "darn" and "frick" aren't officially swears, but when said with enough venom they can sound just as ugly and angry.

[angelsriches]

on 3/19/2008 Aha - i see that the step referred to has been removed....how terribly decent of you!

[angelsriches]

on 2/24/2008 I personally feel that this is terrible advice. Step 2 is especially deconstructive....have people come round and gang up on the spouse on their return home? That's basically what you're suggesting....No way. What is required here is love, understanding, non-judgement toward your spouse. What happened to accepting for who and what they are. I do not agree with you.