When Dad’s Curse Jar Backfired: How a Family’s Swear-Fine Turned Into Petty Revenge (and a Free Dinner)
Let’s face it: every family has its own “code of conduct” at the dinner table. For some, it’s all elbows off the table and napkins on laps. For others, it’s simply “Don’t drop the F-bomb in front of Grandma.” But what happens when the very person enforcing the rules is also the chief offender? Welcome to the legendary saga of “The Curse Jar,” where parental authority met its match in the form of gleeful, petty revenge—and a surprisingly expensive lesson in family accountability.
The Birth of the Curse Jar
Picture this: a typical family dinner, plates clinking, conversation rolling—until, out of nowhere, your sibling lets fly an “F-bomb” that echoes through the mashed potatoes. For Reddit user u/Outrageous_Resist_50 and their siblings, that was the night their father decided things had gone too far. The solution? A classic curse jar, with a 25-cent fine for every slip of the tongue. No exceptions. “For everyone?” one child asks, and Dad, in a fit of misguided confidence, confirms: yes, for everyone in the household.
Cue the collective side-eye and smirks. Because here’s the plot twist Dad failed to see coming: the majority inspiration for these verbal misdemeanors wasn’t the children at all—it was him.
The Petty Revenge Plot Unfolds
At that very dinner, the curse jar’s first victim wasn’t a mouthy kid, but Dad himself—twice—racking up 50 cents before dessert. Sensing opportunity (and perhaps a little poetic justice), the siblings pounced. Over the next week, they became the household’s unofficial swear police, meticulously clocking every “damn,” “hell,” and “f-bomb” their father unleashed.
The result? A whopping $53 in fines—enough to fund a hearty family dinner out, which, in a twist of delicious irony, Dad himself paid for…with his own curse jar contributions.
Parenting, Role Models, and the Law of Unintended Consequences
The true brilliance here isn’t just in the petty revenge, but in the lesson lurking beneath the laughter. Parents, take note: kids are always watching (and, as it turns out, keeping a running tally). When you set a rule, you’d better be prepared to live by it, because nothing empowers children like a fair, across-the-board policy—especially when that policy reveals a parent’s own, er, colorful vocabulary.
What makes this story so satisfying is its universality. Who among us hasn’t tried to enforce a new family rule, only to find ourselves tripped up by our own habits? Whether it’s “no screens at the table,” “no dessert before veggies,” or “no cursing,” the minute you hold others accountable, your own shortcomings are on full display.
The siblings’ approach is a masterclass in good-natured accountability. Rather than rebel or sulk, they gleefully played by the rules—Dad’s rules—and turned the whole ordeal into a game that everyone (well, almost everyone) could laugh about in the end.
The Power of Petty Revenge
There’s something deeply satisfying about petty revenge, especially when it’s harmless and exposes a double standard. In this case, the curse jar didn’t just curb (or, let’s be honest, highlight) bad language; it leveled the playing field. The kids learned a valuable lesson about fairness and follow-through, while Dad learned that leading by example is harder than it looks—and sometimes, it costs more than you think.
The story wraps with Dad quietly shelving the curse jar after a business trip—never to be mentioned again. No lectures, no hard feelings—just the shared memory of a week when the tables were turned and everyone had a good laugh (and a good meal) at Dad’s expense.
Share Your Family’s Funniest Petty Revenges!
Do you have your own “curse jar” story or a time when a family rule hilariously backfired? Drop your tales in the comments below! We’d love to hear how your household handles these little moments of justice and mischief. After all, sometimes the best family memories are made not from perfect behavior, but from perfectly imperfect payback.
So next time you reach for a swear jar, remember: in the game of family rules, anyone can end up footing the bill!
What’s the most creative (or disastrous) rule your parents ever tried to enforce? Let us know and join the conversation!
Original Reddit Post: The curse jar