Is This Bad Language? Really?...

Wow!!

I would be ***that*** parent then...teaching kiddo to say:

Feces!

Reservoir! *joke*

condemn it!

And, if the *F* word (or something similar) came up...

Coitus you!

But I am strange that way...words only have an impact if 'you' allow it!!

(let me know what the coach says about the 'new' vocab)

lol

i wouldn't give them a second thought.
it sounds more as if the coach is working with them on not using expletives of any kind, even mild ones. not a bad lesson to learn.
rather than find out what words he's allowed to say, maybe just go with it for this particular activity. it's not the end of the world for a kid to learn to express himself articulately. 'oh, i missed!' or 'great shot!'
khairete
S.

No not really bad words but if he has been told to not use them, he should not. It's as simple as that.

I have a lot bigger problem with "poo"! That's disgusting.

He's only being singled out of the other kids use the same words he does and don't get reprimanded. Otherwise, her field, her rules.
This is a teaching moment Mama. There are different rules for different situations. The rules at school may be different from the rules at hom, but you still expect him to follow them. Same goes for extracurricular activities. If you fight this or let him know you disapprove of the rules his coach has, all you are teachiy him is that he only has to follow the rules he agrees with and that he is above the rest.

I don't think that's bad at all. You should hear what the 9 year olds in my son's school say!

Your son needs to learn good sportsmanship. there is no reason for him to be making those negative comments no matter what "words" he uses. This isn't an issue of "bad language" just bad attitude.
Teach him to be positive and let the missed shots or what ever go.

The whole team will thank him for not pulling the morale down.

My kid learned the real words from hearing me use them. I taught her how to choose her audience. I see nothing wrong with the words your son is using, but if the rules of the facility where the activity takes place say they are verboten, then he needs to not use them there unless he is willing to take the consequences.

Oh please.

These phrases are a way of expressing frustration. I could understand if it was one of the words our society has deemed "bad"... But the words he is using are just fine. What difference does it make if his "expletives" are different than the two allowed words? In the end, the meaning is the same.

Now, I could understand him being singled out if he excessively using this "language" and bringing the team down negatively... But if it is simply because he is using his words instead of theirs? Psh.

Personally, I would rather my kid say "drat" than "poo..."

(That said, I wouldn't choose is hill to die on, and would ask your son to try to remember to use the recommended words if he feels the need to say something... Rules are rules, even if they are stupid. If it truly bothers you enough, you can try to get them changed. Claim that it is excessive censorship or something, and see if you can get a few other parents on board and talk it over with the coach...)

Twat??? (Sorry I couldn't resist). That is just ridiculous. I don't even think "dang" is a bad word. What does she want a pout and a shrug?

I agree with Veruca... I don't like the word "poo" ....... to me, that is just a substitute for "s***" .......

Just curious... what words do the other kids say? Are they being corrected, also?

The coach is being ridiculous. Poo is OK but shoot isn't? I can abide by rules grounded in logic but these ones make no sense.

I don't know what I'm more annoyed with. What this Coach is doing or some of the responses below. =)

I would tell my son that while I think the Coach is ridiculous, those are his rules. This is a lesson for him to learn that those in charge who have rules whether we agree or not need to be followed. I would also let my son know that the words he said are NOT considered bad language.

Grr PC run amuck.

I think this whole "bad word" business is just going to far. It's hitting a point where if it's an exclamation of frustration it is automatically a bad word, implying that expressing any frustration is bad in and of itself. I would prefer any of the words you listed over "poo" which is a word for human excrement. Oh but wait "shoot" is a word for firing a weapon like a gun or a bow and arrow so of course that's got to be bad. o_O
Our rule in language should not be used to intentionally hurt a person or to be intentionally rude. Using a word to express anger or frustration get more leniency because it's not directed at another. We had to actually ban the word "baby" because we went through a spell where the kids were calling each other a baby with all the hate and aggression of any racial slur or other hateful words. It was insane! We have taught them to be polite, that there are some words people don't like to hear so there is no need to use them, there are other words they can choose.
Words are just words. Intent matters a whole lot more. There does come a point where censorship just gets silly though and in this case I completely believe this is silly.

if he "keeps" getting singled out, then he "keeps" saying those words. Why won't he stop? He should get the hint...

I agree. they are not bad words.

But an example I have is I am not religious and I do not care at all if my kids or I say "Oh my god" - not a bad word to me. BUT many of our friends are religious so my kids know we don't say this because it offends other people. 9 is old enough to know. Listen to the grownup in charge, it is a good lesson in respecting other people's feelings even if you feel differently.

Well, I'd have to say that the coach is being ridiculous, however ...

I like what Marie C said. The lesson you can teach your son in this case is that each place and each teacher/coach/activity leader is going to have his/her own set of rules, and these rules must be followed and respected. Granted as adults we might come across a rule that we do need to challenge, but that is between adults.

One of my teachers in 6th grade told us on day 1 all the work we would need to complete by the end of the 2nd quarter - kind of like giving us a college syllabus. It freaked me out!!! My dad (who has a PhD in Psychology) talked to her about this and suggested that maybe that was not a great way to present it to the class. She went on and on about what psychologists say and why she was right. He finally got fed up and said, "Lady, I've forgotten more about psychology than you've ever learned!" But he didn't tell me this until I was in my 20's. When he talked to me, he backed her up.

I do think the coach is being ridiculous, but I also think you need to accept her rules and back her up. Teach your son that he needs to respect her and her rules. It's a really important lesson for him to learn.

Really?
Ridiculous.

Might be a good time to teach the lesson that lunatics abound in the world but this particular lunatic is "in charge" so obey the rules that apply in that activity. Smh.

I'd tell the coach that the words your son is saying are acceptable to you and are not commonly called inappropriate words.

AND if he has a problem with those words could he please refund your money. I bet that stops him. I don't think the words he's saying are bad and "I" don't allow these:

Stupid

Retarded

Dummy

I can't

Bad.

So the words your boy is saying are not bad words. Perhaps he's trying to instill in the kiddo's how to use their words. If your kiddo is using them like cuss words and a lot of the time then maybe the coach has had enough.

I think "poo" is worse than any of the words you listed. I don't see anything wrong with saying "shoot" or "darn", people say those words all the time. Honestly, the coach sounds like she's a bit "off".

Just not appropriate or necessary language. Kind of like bad manners.

Hold your child to the highest expectation and he will meet it.

Poo and oh man are suggested so have him change over to those. He will end the bad habit of the others and that is a good thing in the long run.

Or as a family come up with a code word to replace all the others like. OH Radish. Or Squash..

None of those make my radar as bad language and I see nothing wrong with them.

But, rules are rules. In this case, your son needs to accept the lines that the coach has drawn. It's a good lesson in learning how to be flexible and understanding.

I don't think those words are too bad, but drat and dang are slang words. Not the way a "proper" child (or adult) is supposed to behave. I don't see why poo is better than shoot! However, I understand where the coach is coming from - she wants the boys to have an "educated" sounding vocabulary - as opposed to "street" vocabulary like drat and dang.

Even though they are kids, it just doesn't sound professional. I realize kids do not need to act professional, but good professional habits start at childhood and go throughout adulthood. If your son said drat and dang throughout his entire childhood, he very well might continue to say those words when he is an adult. Can you imagine if he has a very professional job and is in a meeting and all of a sudden blurts out, "Oh drat!!" That will not sound professional at all, and most definitely will not impress his boss.

Time to go to the director and ask him or her to intervene, especially if you are PAYING for this extracurricular activity. He can say "poo"? What?

Tell the director that you either want the teacher to back off or refund your money.

These are not profane words, but is there some sort of "no negative outburst" sportsmanship rule? I don't get it, but there must be some rule he's breaking. It's not the "obscene words" rule though. They ARE allowed to say "poo"? Mkay.

Aside from being allowed to say "poo" (what?!) Sounds more like an attitude policy, and yeah, that's not very nice behavior.

He should stop if it keeps getting him thrown out.

BUT, if your child is the only one being singled out when all the other kids act exactly the same way, I would directly confront the coach about it. Be sure you have your facts totally straight when you approach like, "With my own eyes I have seen Bobby and Jimmy and Sammy throw their bats down and yell DANG IT, but you only discipline my son for it. What gives?"

This is the kind of stuff I roll my eyes at, like when I say something is stupid and my daughter tells me that's a bad word. I would just tell your son that these are words he can't say. Personally, I'd think poo is worse than drat. Geez.

I agree with you - those words are fine. However, perhaps she doesn't like the context he's using them in and is more chastising him for having a negative attitude about something rather than for his actual words. Instead of focusing on the words he is saying, help him come up with something positive to say or think in a situation where he is upset and would otherwise say shoot.