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4 Friday, September 23, 2016 brooklintowncrier.com Our Brooklin Kids By Leanne Brown Kid: $%&!!#@?! Parent: Huh!? Earlier this week, my daughter asked me the meaning of the "f" word. "That's an interesting word," I said. "Where did you hear it?" She'd heard other children using it on the playground. "What do you think it means?" I asked. She knew it was a "bad word" but didn't know why. She was curious about its meaning and had asked some friends, but none of them knew the meaning either. Most parents agree swearing is an offensive habit they don't want their kids to develop. Buy why do children swear? Often it's because they're exploring new language. They might be testing a new word, perhaps to understand its meaning. If they do know the meaning, it's usually to vent some feelings. It's a response to something painful, upsetting or frustrating. Older school-aged children swear because it gets a strong reaction from their parents. They might also swear to fit in socially, to stand out, or to get attention. They also may imitate the adults or people in their lives they look up to. For us, we realized our reaction would influence whether she uses the word or not, so we decided to stay calm and first let her know she wasn't in trouble. After all, her questions about the word were due to childhood curiosity. Our daughter didn't fully understand the word's meaning; she does understand words can hurt or offend others. By explaining clearly why that word is not acceptable, she quickly understood what was expected. Your child might have some idea of a swear word's meaning. They may have even looked it up on the internet. Before getting into it, ask your child what she thinks the word means. My daughter thinks the word in question is similar in definition to "oh darn!". If your child has some idea of the true meaning though, you're best to clarify or correct (in a generic way) what they may already know and emphasize why they should not use it. You just stubbed your toe. You're in pain and let out a curse. Your child gasps disapprovingly as you hobble to a chair. Even if kids don't hear it from you, they're going to come in contact with offensive language at some point. They'll hear it at school, on TV, or at the hockey arena. If your child has heard you cursing, admit your error and then explain a better way you could have voiced it. If they hear someone else swearing, try to get them to think about how that word sounds. If, for instance, at the rink, someone uses a derogatory word to put someone down, counter it with something like, "That wasn't nice to say. That player is working really hard. They'll get it next time." Since our little chat, we're praising our girl when she uses "better" words to describe her feelings. But sometimes life just "sucks". At home, we use "that sucks (lem- ons)." For us, it means something that went sour. If you allow watered-down versions of swear words at your house, be clear about where and when they can be used. Tell your child she can say this at home, but not at school or with the coach. Then be sure to model those rules yourself. Community Calendar If you have a community not-for-profit event you would like included in the calendar, please email it to mulcahy42@rogers.com with the subject line "calendar."Priority will be given to Brooklin events. Some editing may occur. Sunday, September 25: Brooklin Pub Quiz Night, Sunday Septem- ber 25th. Hints are: 1. Arctic tern 2. Panama Hat 7:00 pm, $15.00 per person gets you a platter of wings, fries and a mug of beer for your team of 6. If you don't have a team of 6, no worries, we can add you to a team, (teams of 4-8 are okay, too). Winning team receives a $10.00 gift certificate per person to return another night to the pub. All proceeds go to Pulmonary Hypertension of Canada. Any questions contact Carolyn 905-449-1162 Wednesday, October 5: Jill Czuczman, with the help of Group 74, is looking at hosting a Coffee Break in support of the Alzheimer Society Durham Region and early onset dementia. Jill and her family are spearheading this event. It will take place at the Barnes Memorial Funeral Home from 1-3 pm. Group 74 also hosted a community auction at the Harvest Festival and will be doing a cheque presentation at the beginning of the afternoon. For information, contact Jill at czman@rogers.com Friday, October 7: Ashburn artist Jay Dart will have a solo exhibition at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery until January. Exhibition link: http:// rmg.on.ca/exhibitions/jay-dart-greetings-from-yawnder/ Jay's website: www.thedart.ca Tuesdays: Brooklin Toastmasters, 7:15 p.m. for Meet & Greet, Meeting from 7:20 to 9:14 p.m. at the Brooklin Community Centre & Library (NEW LOCATION), 8 Vipond Road, 2nd floor Boardroom (NW corner). For more information, contact John at 905-683-4439 or jajhj@sympatico.ca or Loran Weston-Smyth at lorn@lornawestonsmyth.com or 416-910-4109. Brooklin Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills. Basic Foot Care: Community Care Durham provides basic foot care services by registered foot care nurses on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at St. Thomas' Anglican Church. Please call 905-668-6223 for more information. Thursday evenings: Love to sing! The Brooklin United Church adult choir welcomes new voices to join us. Practices are Thursday evenings 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. You do not need to read music to be part of the choir. Practice CD's are made available. For more information, please call the church office at 905-655-4141 or by email at office@brooklinunited.ca Brooklin's Guide to Home Based Businesses To advertise in this feature contact Crystal at 416.839.0248 Photos by Dianne www.istockphoto.com/search/portfolio/13554221 CLASSIFIEDS Custom Closets & More www.dream-space.ca 905.409.8681. Authorized HomeAdvisor GuitarDrumLessonsRepair patricksguitarstudio.com Sarah's Sewing Alterations, Mending, Crafts, Costumes - Call or text: 905 242- 4251 blue.dragonfly@rocketmail.comWORSHIP DIRECTORY WORSHIP DIRECTORY Burns Presbyterian Church 765 Myrtle Rd West (just 4 minutes north of Brooklin) 10am Worship, Kids Zone Fun & Nursery Care "Discovering God, Sharing God's Love" 905.655.8509 www.Burnschurch.org St. Thomas' Anglican Church 101 Winchester Road East Sunday Services: 8:30 and 10:30 am Sunday School & Nursery Program (10:30am) Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Communion and Healing Service 905-655-3883 www.stthomasbrooklin.ca Brooklin United Church 19 Cassels Rd. E. Sunday Services at 10:30 am Sunday School & Nursery Care www.brooklinunited.ca 905-655-4141 Come catch the Spirit! Renaissance Baptist Church of Brooklin 40 Vipond Road (Just West Of Library) Sunday Worship & Kids Program 10:30 a.m. 905 655 4554 www.brooklinrbc.ca We're here for Brooklin!