1. Sand! It’s so... sandy!
2. Ah ah, we don’t put hair balls in our mouth. That’s yucky (this one is repeated daily)
3. Where’s your belly? Where’s your ear? Where’s your elbow? Where’s your...? [LOOP]
4. Ah ah, we don’t lick or suck on grocery carts. We just don’t.
5. We can go get another free sample, just don’t tell anyone. Look cute.
6. Did you go poop?
7. We need to be gentle with Spot, yes, nice, yes, NICE!! NICE!!
8. Here, let me get those boogs. Let mommy at ‘em.
9. What sound does a sheep make? What sound does a donkey make? What sound does a cow make? What sound does a … make? [LOOP]
So, admittedly, I have always been an out-loud inner monologue type, guilty almost every day of talking to myself at the computer (and I share an office). Talking to a little who can’t quite yet chat back is not hard for me, but I do wonder occasionally what the world hears from me. I often wish I were wittier, more creative, and more profound, but I also wish I were smarter, less exhausted, and better resourced.
So, the net result are axioms describing how “sandy” sand is, how “wet” water is, and abbreviating two-syllable words (see #8) and adding extra syllables when the sing-songy muppet that has taken parasitic residence in my brain think would make the words have better mouthfeel. So we reach for wipeys to get rid of boogs. Let me remind you that I’m the primary person teaching this Little language. As other parents perhaps contemplate their bi or tri-lingual home, Mandarin immersion programs for the not-so-distant future, I am literally leading G down new linguistic path, familiar to those who speak English, but a new dialect entirely. Oh well, at least she’ll be able to converse with her Mama.
What might we hear you all oversaying to your little (human or non-human)?
I've found that having kids allows me to do all of the talking out loud in public that I have always wanted to do, but haven't for fear of looking crazy:)
ReplyDeleteTotal upside! I talk to Gracie as we grocery shop or in the car or walking about what I need to do that day... and I feel a lot less crazy!
ReplyDeleteThis made me cry I was laughing so hard! I can totally relate and say many of the same things, except that I play the role Spot does since we don't have a pet. "Be easy with mommy's hair" is a common phrase along with "no hitting mommy, be nice. be gentle.".
ReplyDeleteOne day on the millionth time I've asked him, "what do the birdie's say", instead of answering his usual "teet, teet" I think I'm going to get a "i've already answered that question! move on mom!"
Yay! I'm glad you liked!! Oh and I am slightly gratified that A goes after your hair too... does he laugh like a maniac when he does? I thought I lost a lot of hair in the months after G's birth... now she's pulling out what's left!
ReplyDeleteAnd besides animals and body parts and food, I often get stuck on what to "quiz" her on. Maybe the periodic table? Mathematical theorems (a la Rick Moranis in Parenthood)? :)
I know I've already mentioned this but I want a t-shirt that says "Sand! It's so...sandy!" I'm contemplating making it my status update on FB.....
ReplyDelete