Why David Campbell lets his 7-year-old son swear

TV host David Campbell has given the all-clear for his young son to use rude words — as long as he abides by three simple rules.

David Campbell has given the all-clear for his son to swear, as long as he abides by three simple rules. Picture: Christian Gilles

WELL, it probably surprises no one reading this to know that I am a swearer.

I enjoy the emotional release. I like the naughtiness. I relish the words as I pair them with the right phrase. I use them recklessly at times. More often than not in the wrong company.

You see, swearing when I was a child was not really allowed. When I was a teenager, the rules were relaxed somewhat and … it … was … thrilling. I was a grown-up.

Even before I had a girlfriend and, you know, “did it”, to talk with dirty words seemed like shaking off the shackles of childhood once and for all.

Words are powerful. I believe Michael Hutchence said they were “weapons … sharper than knives”.

So when I swore onstage at a function for a friend’s birthday, in context, in front of my seven-year-old, I had been exposed. Busted. I mean, it was just the “S” word. Nothing serious. None of the truly offensive ones. Could I have said poo? Sure.

More importantly, the excitement and danger Leo was feeling about swearing has completely disappeared.

However, saying to somebody, “Wow, what a performance, you are the absolute poo,” doesn’t have the same impact.

Let me tell you, Leo would not let me forget it. He told his mother straight away, even though I treated him to Maccas fries to distract him.

I even encouraged the fidget spinner at the dinner table but, nooooooooo, we had to discuss Dad’s propensity to impersonate Gordon Ramsay.

So, we talked with Leo about the issue and we laughed a lot. He was asking us about words he had heard at school and who said what to whom. And then, without warning, with my seven-year-old, I went rogue.

I told him I am fine with him swearing with his mates. I mean, he is going to experiment with swear words anyway, right? We all did. We never told our parents, but we so did.

David’s column appears in Stellar June 18.

So, here is what I told him were my rules (which I may or may not have made up on the spot).

1. Swear with your friends. I insist you try it. It’s fun, so get it out of your system.

2. You must never swear at anyone in a cruel way.

3. No swearing at or around anyone who is younger than you.

4. If you get caught by the teachers, then you are on your own (I don’t really mean this, but you know … I had to make the situation a little scary).

I wanted to show my eldest that I trusted him. Naughty words could be used entirely at his discretion. Leo was in charge of his destiny from this moment on.

So far, so good. I have had no calls from the school … yet. I have not had to apologise to other parents … yet. More importantly, the excitement and danger Leo was feeling about swearing has completely disappeared.

So it was a win. A big effing win.

David co-hosts Today Extra, 9am weekdays, on the Nine Network.