The words your kids are throwing at each other are mean, and you don’t know where they learned them.
What’s usually happening
Name-calling is often hurt or frustration coming out sideways. Sometimes it’s something they heard at school and are testing at home. Words shape a family’s culture, so this is worth slowing down for.
Try this
- 1Stop it right away and calmly name what happened.
- 2Have them say one true, kind thing about the person they hurt.
- 3Talk later about where they heard the word and why it’s not okay.
What to say
- “In our family, we speak life.”
- “That word hurts. Try again with kind words.”
- “What were you feeling when you said that?”
No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.
Inside the membership, the full name-calling plan helps you build a home where words build up.
This is covered in The Discipline Overshare Guide
- 01What’s happening
- 02What should I know
- 03What do I say
- 04Mom, remember
- 05When to get help
Find your family’s season
THE GOD’S WAY MEMBERSHIP
Get the words for this, and every age.
- Every guide and toolkit. The words for the conversation in front of you, for every age and stage, plus every new guide the day it releases.
- Moms Who Talk. Parenting the hard stuff can feel lonely. Bring the question your kid asked. Other moms answer, and Jess drops in.
- Ask Jess. For the question you can’t stop thinking about at 11pm. Answers drawn only from Jess’s teaching.
- Live with Jess. Bring what happened in your home this week to a live online call with Jess, and pray together.
7 days free, then $14.99/month. Cancel anytime before day 7 and you won’t be charged.
Get stage-specific help in your inbox
A short, steady note for the season you’re in.