You know it's funny. As a mum you spend your time raising your children so that they reach their full potential and milestones when they are "supposed" to. So when Allana's speech wasn't developing as fast as the other children she played with, I became concerned.
I was so worried (I mean ridiculously worried) that I felt like I wasn't a good enough mother and that it was somehow my fault that she wasn't speaking. Allana was still gurgling and making shrieking noises whilst other mum's were showing off their child's new talent, and I felt useless.
Mum's say things like, 'you shouldn't compare kids.' But when you are a first time mum you have no reference points as to what is normal development and what isn't, so ultimately you compare where they are at out of necessity. I was silly to worry really because I haven't come across many people who can't speak. So my fears were unjustified.
As time went by she wasn't making any real improvements so I took her to the doctors and was referred to speech therapy. I went to one session got some tips to try at home and was told that they weren't concerned about her and to come back in 6 weeks. Well it was the next week that she started coming out with words. Oh I was so proud of my little munchkin, she could say 'star,' 'ook' and 'juice' I swelled on the inside.
But now she has developed into a cheeky monkey who imitates all my negative traits and reflects them back at me like a mirror. She picks up on everything and you really have to choose your words wisely around her, So I thought I'd list a few of her more poular phrases and see if you recognise any of them.
'Mummy I said NO!'
'You'd better listen to me now.'
'Shut up and stop being cheeky.'
'Mummy you do what I say.'
'Mummy you naughty girl, go to time out and calm down.'
But my absolute favourite is 'Mummy you do my head in.'
Now I spend my time trying to get the girl to shut up, she talks all the time. She interrupts, shouts and sings at the top of her voice right at the good part of a movie. It's a constant battle trying to get her to stop copying all the things I have said throughout the day. It's exhausting. But at least I don't worry that she still can't say her 'F's or 'Z's' properly because they will come with time and I know her speech development had nothing to do with me being an inadequate mother.
So new mum's rejoice that your little darling can't speak yet, because when they do, boy oh boy the list of demands is incredible.
Lushworld
