Is It Ever OK to Laugh at Your Toddler's Bad Behavior?

on May 20, 2009 at 2:22 PM

Recently, I had some friends over for brunch, and they brought their adorable 2-year-old daughter, who is just starting to speak in complete sentences.

When she proudly introduced herself to me as "Jesus" (definitely not her name), I couldn't help it—I burst out laughing...much to the dismay of her very embarrassed parents.

Her parents were MORTIFIED and explained to me that they were teaching her prayers (in addition to introductions), which was the reason for the, um, mix-up. And, unfortunately, my laughter did little to help what they considered to be a serious situation.

While I took her mistake to be comical and very endearing, they were worried that she would repeat it again—possibly in front of company who wouldn't find it nearly as funny.

I'm sure everyone has experienced this one time or another with your toddler: They do something that is considered "bad behavior" but you can't help but crack up.

Do you know what I mean? What's the funniest "bad behavior" your toddler has ever exhibited?

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: development & growth, discipline, language, learning

Comments (41)

fluud7

on May 20, 2009 at 2:58 PM

I cannot possibly understand why this situation would make the parents embarrassed or upset. This MUST be their first and only child. I think your behavior was perfectly acceptable. And if they have company over who DOESN'T find that funny....LAME!!

We don't laugh at our children's disobedient behavior, but funny things they do....of course! If it's funny, we laugh!

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peppermintmocha

on May 20, 2009 at 3:04 PM

No, it is not ok to laugh but I do it all the time. Sometimes their bad behavior is so outrageous that it is hysterical.

JPsMommy605

on May 20, 2009 at 3:25 PM

Honestly, I think it's better to laugh than scream. Less drama overall. I do sometimes chuckle, but don't normally laugh outright at some of my son's more comical "bad" behavior.

bltcahill

on May 20, 2009 at 3:27 PM

It was an innocent mistake, not bad behavior.
But it does make it hard to not laugh at your child misbehaving sometimes when they're just so dang cute. Mine get the silliest looks on their faces as they reach for something they know they shouldn't, and I have to bite my cheeks sometimes to keep from smiling, cause once I do all hope is lost lol. My husband has figured out this trick too, so I think I'm doomed.

Blubuni99

on May 20, 2009 at 3:58 PM

I can't help it - I always laugh the FIRST time and then try to get a straight face and tell them not to do it again. But since it made me laugh the first time, it almost always get repeated, which I ignore. No, I don't think it's good to laugh at bad behavior but at the same time, it's not the worst thing ever to happen and as long as the behavior gets corrected, I don't see what the problem would be.

Now, if someone brought their kid over and their kid harmed, ect my child and the parents laughed, that's not acceptable.

diane08502

on May 20, 2009 at 4:50 PM

why do you think the cliche says "TERRIBLE TWO's" ???????????? You know how many kids out there have problems and cant talk and their parents would not mind hearing Jesus from their child's lips??? What the hell planet are these parents on?? Tell them to get with the program, their kid is smarter than they are!!! My daughter is five, and talks like elmer fudd, normal for a five years old. she goes to a catholic school for pre K and she learned a song, "open my eyes, Lord, help me to see you" but she says WORD instead of Lord! I am now in a situtation where my son might have bone cancer, he is three, and I am asking the WORD or the LORD or whoever this thing is to keep my son safe!!! Jesus, yes, the child said Jesus, maybe she is getting her list of Christmas presents ready???? SHe is two, enjoy this, because they dont stay two for very long!!!!!!

Cafe Kim

on May 20, 2009 at 4:58 PM

I didn't mean to suggest that I thought my friends were over-reacting. I'm sure they knew it was an innocent mistake--I just think it shocked them and they were maybe worried about their daughter repeatedly telling people in school or at church that she was "Jesus". LOL. Can you imagine? Anyways, I was more pointing out that I didn't know whether it was appropriate to laugh or correct her! So funny.

Willywonka06

on May 20, 2009 at 5:07 PM

my 2 year old son said boobies the other day when out to dinner, some fat old guy was wearing this wife beater tank and will is like him boobies! I turned around covered my face with the napkin and laughed until I cried.

Cafe Cynthia

on May 20, 2009 at 5:09 PM

I would have laughed, too, and I've been on the other side of that coin.

I have a slightly different problem with my toddler daughter. Sometimes she will say something so cute and so funny that we will laugh -- but she thinks we are making fun of her in some way and burst out crying. It's hard to explain to a toddler that you are laughing with them and not at them. Oh well.

lady-t3984

on May 20, 2009 at 5:30 PM

I am a mom and a grandmom,there has been somethings I have laughed at,but,I try to turn my head,so the kids won't know I'M laughing, I have a 3 yrs. old,who speaks with a lisp,when he says truck,it sounds like,.uck,well,the other kids say,he is fresh,he cursing,now, he keep saying it, I get upset,and tell them,if, you don't say nothing,he will stop.