Language, language, and language

The other day, I was working with some kids who were how shall we say have a mouth on them. The child's therapist came up to me and asked how do I handle that vulgar language. I looked at her, and responded, sometimes helpers need to talk their language, but at the same time teach them new language. She looked at me with a curious smile. I was waiting for her to ask another question, then one of the kids began on a f-bomb tyrant with another peer. I walked over, and asked the boys to lower the voices, but more importantly choose the correct word. Little did I know the staff psychiatrist was right behind me with the child's therapist. My client came up to me, apologized for the f-bombs, then told the other peers to chill out, and will see them next group. My client went to get a drink, we were doing our session right after the group. The child's therapist came up to me and responds, how did you do that? I looked at her, and said, I speak their language. It is one thing to say f-bomb, but another to let them know you understand what they mean, but can hollar it out in another way. I call it respect. I curse too, and need to work on it. The key is being able to relate to a kids language, regardless of how it may come out. You can teach kids how to choose other words. Control the thought, positive behavior follows. I have found that most kids, who suffer from behavior problems, curse because they are angry, or think the language is cool. If you work on the anger, and then understand the slang, the cursing begins to diminish. There are many layers of inappropriate language being called out by kids who think they can get respect by this type of behavior. If you are a helper and could use some new communication techniques with your clients or patients, try speaking their language. Once you are able to identify the thought behind the clients word, you can begin to implement transformation in a healthy way for your client. Stay in your health, stay in the moment.