The Critic
Your child doesn't hesitate to tell people what he really thinks about how they look or what they're wearing.

Why he does it: The world is still new to toddlers, and they're very observant. They use their growing language skills to express what they see -- very honestly!

The fast fix: Apologize to the offended person without going overboard. If you can get your child to apologize too, great, but don't turn it into a power struggle -- you don't want to make a bigger deal about the apology than the insult itself.

What to say later: Toddlers don't yet realize how powerful words can be, so use the incident as a teachable moment. Say, "Sometimes words can hurt people's feelings, so you need to use words to make other people feel good." If his insult was spurred by curiosity ("Mommy, why is that man so fat?"), assure him that he can always come to you with questions in private.

The Pottymouth
Just when a hush falls over a public area, your child yells "!"

Why she does it: As your toddler's vocabulary expands, she'll naturally repeat words she hears -- bad ones included. But are you encouraging her R-rated chatter? "Toddlers can learn how to push their parents' buttons," says Dr. Coleman. If you freaked out in the past when she blurted a bad word, she may be curious to see what happens when she does it again.

The fast fix: Don't overreact. A simple "excuse us" to everyone in earshot is enough. Calmly tell her, "We don't use those words," then drop the subject.

What to say later: If you've cursed in the past, explain that you shouldn't say those words any more than she should. Then, brainstorm some funny words you can both use in place of the bad ones, like "bananarama" or "monkey toes."

Little Exhibitionists
Of all the embarrassing quirks toddlers have, few are as bizarre as their love of randomly stripping down. Disrobing at home is one thing, but what do you do when your child decides that grocery shopping is a clothing-optional event?

Distraction is key, says Dr. Jay Hoecker. "Toddlers sometimes strip in public when they're frustrated or bored," he explains. If your child starts lifting up his shirt in the middle of the produce aisle, for example, he may be trying to tell you that he's sick of shopping. Give him a task, such as holding your coupons or picking out apples, to occupy him. If he does doff his clothes, try to be matter-of-fact about it. Focus on the behavior you do want instead of lecturing ("I liked it when you were keeping your hands in your pockets before").

Teaching Kids to Say "Excuse Me"
It's never too early for kids to learn the magic words -- just don't stop at "please" and "thank you"! "Excuse me" is a must-know phrase for gaffe-prone toddlers. Here's how to make it stick.

Cover all its uses. Tell her to say "excuse me" if she accidentally does something private in front of others (like burping), as well as when she interrupts or bumps into someone.

Don't forget to excuse yourself. It's much easier for your child to learn manners if you always use yours.

Include the phrase in pretend play. For example, have a stuffed animal excuse himself if he behaves inappropriately at your child's next tea party.

Don't force an "excuse me." It's more effective to praise your child when she says it than to argue when she doesn't.

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