A mom in Australia turned to Santa Claus for help with her 4-year-old son’s unexpected swearing habits.
Research indicates that swearing is common among adults, with a survey revealing that Americans curse an average of 21 times daily, starting around age 11.
Tommy Doyle, unlike many kids his age, has picked up a habit of expressing himself with colorful language. His mom, Gemma, suspects the move to Perth might’ve played a role in his new vocabulary.
Initially, Gemma thought that Tommy’s swearing was a phase, especially since he often misused the words and seemed oblivious to their impact—until a recent Kmart visit changed her perspective. When she expressed excitement for Halloween, Tommy responded with an enthusiastic, “Yeah, mam, I can’t f***ing wait.”
That moment prompted Gemma to realize a change was necessary. Luckily, she had a clever solution: she would enlist Santa’s help.
Gemma knew Tommy looked forward to Christmas, and when he asked if Santa could see him being naughty, she capitalized on the opportunity. She decided to create a festive intervention by arranging an after-school pickup with a special letter from Santa.
In a TikTok video posted on her account @gemma_doylex, Gemma reads the letter from Santa that praises Tommy for adjusting well to life in Perth.
Santa’s message addressed Tommy’s new habit: “We understand that when you get very excited, you like to use big words that start with F… but this is not a word that lovely boys and girls should be using.” The letter encouraged Tommy to limit his enthusiastic expressions.
Gemma_DoyleX/TikTok
The intervention seemed to resonate with Tommy, although he did let slip another curse word when the camera tipped over. When he asked if swearing quietly meant Santa couldn’t hear, Gemma assured him that Santa is always listening.
Soon after the Santa intervention, Gemma reported that Tommy has curbed his swearing significantly, even apologizing to Santa after a slip-up.