“Dad what’s an idiotic cretin“.

That’s another question I wasn’t expecting. A tad worried at what might have happened at school or on the web, I asked why.

“I was watching something about the U.K. leaving Europe and that was how one politician described another politician.”

That explains things then. It neatly sums up the level of debate which is supposedly driving our country forward at the moment. Anyway I tried to explain that it was not a good word to use and those so called politicians should know better.

Fast forward a few hours and we sit down to watch some episodes of Spongebob. It’s funny how often random things combine neatly together. The second episode featured Plankton saying to Spongebob

“I thought I’d told you to go away, CRETIN“.

My son obviously now thinks “cretin” is an acceptable word to use as it was used in a children’s cartoon. And I now have the perfect solution to our countries current crisis, let’s put another cretin in charge. Spongebob could be our saviour. The worry is he couldn’t do any worse.

87 thoughts on “Not a good word”

      1. Sadly it depends on the social status of the crouton in question. The posh “soup” crouton can be openly discussed, but the mere mention of the common “salad” crouton can get you ejected from even the most “liberal” of establishments. It’s a crazy world if you want my opinion.

        🤣🤣🤣

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  2. I used to use cretin and moron all the time. Until I found out they were actually real words used to describe ‘levels of retardation’. I read about it in a novel of all things and thought it was rubbish so researched it.. and read about how they comprised a scale. I was horrified and mortified. I try very hard not to use those words any more because they’re quite horrible. That an MP would say it – ugh. No votes from me

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  5. Oh, SpongeBob… He does always seem to get himself and others into pickles, now doesn’t he?

    And politicians… We all complain they should be wiser, but maybe none of them really is wise to begin with :p

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      1. I’d almost bet on it! Most kids think very little of it … UNTIL … somebody makes a big deal about it being a baaaaad word, and then all of a sudden it takes on new importance. 😉

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      3. Like the saying goes, ‘small kids, small problems, big kids, big problems.’ But that’s not to be discouraging. As long as we continue to be proactive and engaged in their lives, God will continue to guide us. 😊🙏🏽

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      5. Yes! But remember, it all starts in the home! You are still in control, as long as they live under your roof, you are in control.
        I tell them, everything down to their socks and shoes is all mine! And if they act up, I get to take it back. I have little ones still, but there are still rules instilled. Like no locking their room doors – otherwise I take the door knobs out, I don’t even allow them to close their doors, it’s always wide open. They need to help around the house, like setting up and picking up the table.
        And it’s keep the lines of communication open. Trying not to facially express our horror if they bring something up completely out of left field. Be honest. And talk to them before the streets do for you.
        Haha! Parenting is no walk in the park. But we’re trying and that’s all that matters. 😊

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      7. Lol yes. I was always too much of a coward to do real big messes! But they also had my older sister to experience that with, they didn’t need two. 🤦🏽‍♀️
        Parenthood is as beautiful as it is difficult. But nothing we can’t get get through with love and patience.

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      9. I agree. Children do help you with patience though. It is! And you see how blessed you are seeing the struggles other couples are having to conceive. It is truly a miracle in itself to have children. 😊

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      14. Yes, but look at it this way … where he is right now? When he’s a teenager, you’ll look back on this period and say — “it was so much easier …”

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      16. Or until one of the parents listen to their potty mouth and handles it the good old fashioned way. Kids need to be disciplined when the occasion arises. When my mom even saw me interrupt her while she was having an adult conversation, she simply turned to me and gave me a good pop on the mouth with her hand. And never again would the bad behavior be done again.

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      18. Lol wow! Thank you Santa! 🙌🏽

        We’re in Florida and live about 4 hours from Disney World. We visit about 2 to 3 times a year. I tell them if they bring me bad grades and have poor behavior, they’ll be staying with grandma while we go to with the rest. Their eyes light up – in fear, of staying back from going to the parks. 🤷🏽‍♀️ It’s works – so far! 😊

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      24. It’s practice. I’ve done a lot of burning and overly salty, too sweet things, but I’m pushing through. Not all comes out as pictured in the books, however others come out delicious. 😊

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      27. Now that … a “good pop on the mouth” … I can NOT agree with, for the only thing you’ve done is prove to them that you can, that you’re bigger and won’t hesitate to hit them if you don’t like something they say or do. I find much more value in reasoning and talking than in hitting.

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      31. I think it’s the last resort. If talking and reasoning doesn’t work. It works to come down to their level and speak to them. But at the end if all fails, that tap will not. I don’t want them to think I’m big and mighty but I will not have them think that they get endless opportunities to do as they wish. They can do that when they’re out of my home and I’m not financially caring for them.
        Mine are little now, but I don’t let the little get past them. Unfortunately school ‘wakes’ them up a little more than I’d like.
        Every parent is different and all have different parenting styles. I say do what works for you and you family.

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      33. I agree. It’s unfortunate to know that school and other kids can be such a big influence. However, at home, I will see that the influence doesn’t get far – at all, if I can help it. Today’s world is far too different from that of my parents. It’s far more dangerous and cruel, and it goes after our children with no remorse in mind.

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      34. For all the negative views, comments, influences you can find positive/inspirational ones.

        I suspect it’s always been dangerous. Just what’s dangerous might change and now it’s splashed round the world in seconds. My mum loved telling me about getting her news, once a week when she went to the cinema.

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      35. Yes, they’re there, the positives may not be getting the spotlight it deserves but it’s there.
        Yes, danger has always been there, just not at the degree it’s at now. I mean, school shooting! It’s all sad! So sad! When did we get to a place where we’ve had to do shooting drills at our children’s schools?! Well, we’re at that point now, unfortunate but true.

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      36. They’ll come across many, many things in school. We try to bring things up that they will come across them at school before they happen. Like hearing curse words at school. And try to answer all their questions. It’s all we can do.

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      38. Lol I’m sure! Yes, there’ll be plenty of that. But yes, we have to appreciate when they come to us for clarification. I’ll speak to them on the matter they bring up and then silently have a mini heart attack in the privacy of my own room’ 😫😂

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    2. My oldest dropped the F bomb when she was in Kindergarten. The teacher pulled me aside after school to let me know. I was in shock and called my daughter over, she said the little girl continued to try to push her around in recess, so my daughter told her, to ‘F-Off!’ I asked her where she’d heard the word, she mentioned her older cousins said it. I looked at the teacher and said, there you go and told her to have a good rest of her day.
      What’s done was done, she was standing up for herself, it didn’t come from my home, AND she used it in the right context. 😊

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      2. I agree! I was shocked at first, but then hearing her say what had transpired, I said, ok. I supported her. I told the teacher it wouldn’t happen again, but I didn’t excuse my daughter, she simply stood up for herself.

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      1. I’ve accidentally posted wrong emoji at horrible timing. One time my aunt sent a group message with terrible news and I meant to send a sad face and sent a laughing face 😂. It happens.

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      4. I was went to a funeral which had the description please feel free to dress as you feel appropriate. I took that to mean casual as I thought that was how the deceased would have preferred. I walked into the crematorium to see row after row of black suits, black ties and black dresses. It must have been something like 1 casual and 60 formals. I wish the earth had just swallowed me up.

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      5. Oh dear! Well since we are on a roll of top embarrassing moments….I once fell at a banquet for my husband’s job. I wish then I had worn flats and something more casual 😂!

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      6. Please tell there is a video of that. Once on my first day in a new job, probably no more than 30 minutes into the day I had a meeting with the Director. I tripped over the carpet and sent my full mug of coffee all over a rather unimpressed Director sat at his desk. And he was wearing a cream suit. I can’t even blame the heals for that one.

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      7. OMG!! Lol 😂 I hope he wasn’t burnt too bad! I once I tripped over a little platform where a band I like was posing for pictures. I was next in line so I didn’t ruin anyone’s picture but luckily they didn’t get drenched in coffee! No videos to prove that I know of… I hope not! 😁

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