Swear Jar
It’s that time of year again: Lent. Last year I wrote this article, A Skeptics Lent Reflections, because I have always had an aversion to giving things up for Lent. I feel like someone out there needs to break the rules and I’ve always been happy to take that role.
Looks like this year may be an exception…
So, I was in the car with a bunch of kids and my nephew told us that he was giving up candy (My niece promptly replied she wasn’t giving up anything. My soul-sister, that girl…so proud) and Thomas piped in telling the entire car that I needed to give up swearing for Lent.
WTF?
I figured if my 10-year-old is parenting me, I may need to step it up a notch. So, I made a deal that I will put a $1 in this jar every time I say a bad word. I’m on the honor system when they are not around. At the end of lent, they can divvy up the money amongst themselves.
It’s only been a day and I’ve already had to pay $3.00.
I think the kids were being extra bad just to make me swear. D&mn them.
I hear you sister! Never swore before kiddos, I must say they have a way of pushing those devilish buttons!
You!?! No way, I’ve never heard one bad word out of your mouth! You know, darn and shoot don’t count, Jill. Nice try :)
Driving home last night, Andrew and I were having a ‘discussion’. =) He was unhappy w/my language and said, “I’ll bet Mrs. R wouldn’t talk like that”. Nice.
Good luck w/the jar! I have a feeling the kids will be living large at Easter!
I may just put a hundred in and call it a day…
I grew up Catholic also, and although I am more spiritual now than I ever have been, some (ok, me) call myself a “failed Catholic”. I just don’t agree with some things, but I am totally cool with my relationship with God.
Like you, in my young adult coming of age period, I questioned and was a part of experiencing the rife hypocrisy certain organized religions seemed to display – with some of the people – not all.
I applaud anyone who takes part of Lent! I am thinking I would throw down the hundred and call it a day as well. :)
Funny ! Does WTF count ? I think not- I enjoy swearing. I agree I can’t imagine Jill swearing. I read an article about giving up negative thinking for lent, I thought that was good but then I wouldn’t have anything I could swear about.
Sometimes there are no better words than “God Dam%T!” to describe your feelings. And, I agree, WTF doesn’t count in writing, but I think it does if I say it. Seems fair…
Oh Lina, I love you!
I’m so glad…since we are related and all :)