Eliminate this Word from Your Vocabulary!

iStock_000020533079SmallAs a young parent I refused to allow my children to use one particular word. The word was often accompanied by eyes rolled upward in disgust, or occasionally with a shrug of indifference.

Unfortunately the word and the attitude it communicates permeates our society, cripples initiative, and paralyzes personal growth. I challenge you to eliminate the word from your thinking and your vocabulary.

The word is “whatever.

What would you like to eat tonight I asked my teenage daughter?

Her eyes rolled toward some distant constellation and with a snort of indifference she snapped, “Whatever!”  Waiting for her when she came to the table that night was a bowl of cat food.

“Gross! What is this?”

“It is something I chose from the “Whatever” category.”

Another example.

“I would like you to be home by 10 tonight.”

Now the response drips with disgust.

Whatever!”

That night I chose 6pm from the “whatever” category.

I even got the “whatever” response one night when I said, “I love you” to one of my children.  It was on that night that word was banned from our home. Here is why it should be banned period.

The word communicates one of the following attitudes, none of which anyone but a sloth would want attributed to them.

I don’t care.
I don’t have an opinion.
I lack respect for your opinion.
I am resigned to circumstances.
I am either unwilling or unable to express myself.

The opposite of these attitudes are the foundation for personal and social strength and progress.

I do care.
I have an opinion.
I respect your views though I may disagree.
I will rise above my circumstances.
I will work to express my ideas and argue effectively for what I believe is right.

The same daughters who used the word “whatever” so freely as teenagers have raised spectacular children who do not speak the forbidden word.  None of them have ever been offered cat food or have had a 6pm curfew.

What do you think?

Please do not respond with “whatever!”

Comments

  1. Whatever isn’t the only “W” word that should be eliminated. The other “W” word is the word WWWWWWWWWWORK.

  2. When I first started hearing that word, I to eliminated it. To me it sounded almost like the other ugly word. I like your reasons, they are much clearer. Now I can really explain why it is eliminated!

  3. I think that is brilliant! Thank you.
    Two words we don’t use are stu–d and
    can’t. The “whatever” we use jokingly but as my 2 daughters approach their teens I can see it’s danger! Thank you for your insight! I like cat food idea..gunna use that one. Lol

  4. Wow! My Husband and I have this discussion! This seems to be one of the only words he knows! We don’t even have to use the words any more all we do is hold up fingers in the shape of a “W” and all he says then is “same to ya”….in your own words Ken, we have a great marriage but it is REAL! I am going to send this to him!

  5. Excellent, this kind of desciine introduces a right attitude of a child’s heart and mind. Jesus never said to His Father, ‘whatever’

  6. My niece is extremely sensitive to anyone being rude to her. She has no clue that when she uses “whatever” she is being worse than rude.

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