What Did You Just Say!?

My son, Lincoln, is 3-years-old and becoming quite the little chatterbox. We can't understand everything he says, but he sure does have a lot to talk about. Today he had a conversation with me about going to see the snow and playing in the snow. It was a great conversation! He really wants to go and see snow this winter. He's only ever seen snow in books and on TV, but he has the obsession with wanting to build snowmen and draw them. So, he's constantly talking about going to the snow. His favorite time to talk to me about anything seems to be whenever I get on the phone. I call my dad pretty frequently and every time I do Lincoln comes up to me and starts talking to me about anything. I think he thinks that because I'm talking I must be talking to him. It's really great that he's talking so much, even if we can't understand everything he's saying.

Lincoln talking to me about the mud we made. May 2012

However, there are those times when your child says something and you really wish they hadn't said it. Like repeating curse words or common phrases involving curse words. Lincoln used to repeat the curse word phrase I use regularly, but we've taught him that you shouldn't say it and he understands that it's a bad word. My common curse word phrase is "oh shit", I say when I've forgotten something while out doing errands or when I drop something and it spills. So, naturally, Lincoln picked it up and we had to teach him to say "oh shoot" instead. He doesn't like it when he says it and we correct him, he tells me "no no no, oh shit!". I will say it's kind of funny to hear a small child curse. I have heard a few stories from my friends about their child repeating a curse word phrase. These stories make us parents laugh, but we also realize we need to teach our children that it's not appropriate to use these words in public or in front of company.

It's also not just curse word phrases that children repeat. Lincoln has started to just repeat words that we say. I love the way he repeats words that Gabe and I say while having a conversation. Because he repeats them as a question. It's too cute. Children also learn what to say and what not to say by their parents or an adults reaction. Of course, if we laugh then they assume it's an okay word or phrase to say. Sometimes they say stuff and you just can't help but laugh. Sometimes they say stuff and it just sounds so cute coming out of a 2 or 3-year-olds mouth.

It really is wonderful listening to them learning how to talk. I love how Lincoln says "excuse me, Momma" and how he says please. It's so cute how children learning how to talk will sometimes leave out letters in words they are saying. Lincoln says "'scuse me, Momma" and "Pease", it's just so adorable. Plus, having conversations with your child is absolutely wonderful.


Blogly Question(s):

Has your child every repeated something you've said and you really wish they didn't? Do you love listening to them talk?