Further to my previous post on the munchkins' effort to go independent, I must add that another factor which contributes to the daily frustration is their inability to communicate. Even Di attributed their recent emotional intensity to speech delay. This is probably the only milestone which they've yet to achieve at 18 months. While they are able to signal their needs by pointing and making sounds, or even say words like "come" (when they signal to pets or birds to come to them) or "up" as they climb the stairs, they are still generally babbling throughout the day. In most cases, it is En and Xuan who gets really upset when Ya-Ya and me couldn't deliver their needs and wants.
And although I'm quite OK with them not speaking or even calling me "mommy", I get really pissed off (forgive my language here but I seriously cannot help it) when others show their "concern" over this issue. Especially those "well meaning" neighbours who react in "great horror" as if I said my girls are dumb, or bragged endlessly about their grandchildren who started addressing them "po po" at 14 months. There are times when you feel like replying "Oh, your grandson started talking at 14 months? Does that make him a lawyer?" when I knew exactly the grandson she's referring to is that 16 month old brat yelling at her. But I've decided not to lower myself to their level cos there are so many issues we could argue about. And there are also nosy parkers who won't stop giving uninvited "tips" on how to make the munchkins talk or potty train them. You can imagine how many times I had to hold back remarks like "I can afford disposable diapers, you know? Not just those cheap diapers. We use MamyPoko Pull Up Pants!" @#$%^&*!!!
Okie, let's ignore those EQ-deficient folks and look at the brighter side. I must give my munchkins credit for having more or less achieved all the necessary milestones at 18 months. Their first tooth emerges at the 5th month, they master the act of rolling over at 4 months (En) & 4.5 months (Xuan), sit steadily without support when they turn 6 months, stand without support at 10 months (Xuan) and 11 months (En), followed by their first steps at 11 months (Xuan) and 12.5 months (En). Thereafter, they proceed to run, sorts simple objects by shapes, pick up tiny objects with thumb and index finger, negotiate the stairs, imitates demonstrations, scribbles, stack blocks, etc. Of late, they've also started to self feed using a spoon and even manage to take off an article of clothing (shorts or sleeveless tops).
So, look! So what if they can't talk like the 16 month old brat? At least I can preserve my sanity for a few more months till they start raining questions beginning with "Why, What, Who, When, Where and How" on me. Kekeke...
2 comments:
so glad you posted this. I'm having the same problem with my son. He's 17 months old and only says mama papa. He gets really frustrated that he can't express how he feels I get frustrated that I don't understand what he means... The doctor told us that if there's not much progress by next month that he'll need a speech therapist. I really want to avoid that and i'm thinking that perhaps i'm just a bad teacher with him? Not sure. Have your babies had any progress?
Hi zizi
I truly believe its a matter of time the kiddos' speech centre (in their tiny brain) will mature and words will start to flow. I've come across tots who speak at 2 or even 3 years of age (my neighbour's son!!!). So, unless I don't hear a single word from my kids at all, I will not turn to speech therapy. God knows how traumatising the sessions could be to a young toddler, esp since they can't express themselves well. Be patient with your son, ya? You'll see results in time to come. :)
My girls are turning 20 months this weekend. Just last week, they started calling papa voluntarily (we used to have to cue them or bribe them) and even move on to grandparents, uncles and aunts. So the wait is really worthwhile!
Also, don't balme yourself for not being a good teacher. I mean, who is? We are all learning with our kiddos, so give yourself a pat on the back too, ya? :)
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