what is sounds like

While we were in the car a few weeks ago picking Jacob up from school, the kiddos were talking in the back seat and I was casually listening to their conversation.  It seemed harmless for awhile, but then as boys do they started to use words that rhyme or went from one word to the next - with each word getting sillier and more along the lines of "potty" language (words that creep to the dirty diaper stage...why boys think those words are so funny to say I have no idea!  Maybe once we have dirty diapers to change in the house, they'll want to talk about flowering violets.  One can wish!).

Suddenly, Jacob is talking and all I hear is "....and DIARRHEA" 

"Jacob!  We do not say that word in a joking way.  That is not a word you want to use that way." 

"But Mom...." 

"No, there are exceptions.  It's not a word to use when you are kidding around." 

Suddenly Jacob was in tears and through his crying he said, "It's just a book in our class - the Diarrhea of a Spider." 

My heart sunk as I realized MY mistake.  

"Oh honey, you are talking about the book the DIARY of a Spider!  The way you said it sounded like a different word.  You want to say it DIARY - without the extra A at the end of the word." 

"Okay Mom - the Diary-a of a Spider - is that right?" 

We practiced saying the word a few more times, and finally he got it.  

I'm still learning the fine line of listening to what the kiddos are saying - and KNOWING what they are saying!

*******

Another time I was driving Jacob up to the school, he leaned forward and whispered, "Mom, Bryson said the S word yesterday!"

I froze a little bit as I thought this is it - the time when I have to explain what a swear word actually is.

I tried to keep my voice calm as I asked, "Oh yeah, and what was that S word?"

Bracing myself for the worst, Jacob again whispered to me....

"He said stupid!"

Phew - crisis averted.  I affirmed to Jacob that that is not a word we use in our family & home, and thanked him for knowing that it was not a nice word.  And then I chuckled inside at how naive our little world is right now.  I hope that we can stay this way for quite some time to come!