The S-Word

“Mommy, do you know the S-word?” my 7-year-old son asked me the other day.

Panic filled my mind. S-word? There’s no way he should know the S-word. My husband and I worked very hard to keep him from learning what we consider hardcore swear words that a 7-year-old should not know or use. Okay, I said to myself, keep calm.

“Why do you ask?” I said, taking a deep breath.

“Because all my friends say it all the time, and I tell them not to, but they don’t believe me that it’s a bad word!” he explained.

“Well, you should do what you know is right,” I answered. “You know that saying the S-word is not appropriate. If they say it, well it’s up to them. I’m glad you weren’t afraid to speak up to your friends.”

“Okay, Mommy. They can say ‘stupid’ all they want, but I will never!” he announced.

Oh. That S-word! Not exactly the hardcore swear word I thought he was talking about, but it’s just as well that he thinks the S-word is “stupid.” I love the innocence of this age!