I hate to admit that I've even begun comparing him to other kids his age, who seem to do a whole slue of things ranging from counting to knowing their ABC's and doing puzzles and speaking much, much more than the expected "15 words". I never wanted to do this to him. I want him to be an individual with his own accomplishments. I don't want to be one of those psycho parents who push and push with no regard to the benefit and well being of their child. Sadly, however, I think that part of parenting is natural to an extent. I mean that it is only natural to compare and evaluate your child based on his peers. It must be a natural thing to want to help your child to get ahead or even just keep up.
Both of my sisters have assured me that Leo is fine and that I don't have anything to worry about. They both have said, he is just slow to start, which is common for boys. In addition, Leo is learning 2 languages and both, again, have assured me is part of his delays. I trust my sisters 100% when it comes to raising kids. They both are so wise and I eat up every bit of knowledge they have to impart on me. Slowly, I am beginning to see that they were right about his delays. Leo will be 19 months on Sunday and just recently he has begun speaking....like saying a lot of words in both languages. It is such a feeling of sweet success. It reassures me that in the long run, I am doing the right thing for him by teaching him 2 languages. I know in this new global society that we live in, speaking a second language is going to put him so much further ahead. I have struggled for so long to learn Spanish, and I am glad for him that he wont have to overcome those obstacles.
So now he is speaking the following words and simple sentences:
- "What's that?"
- "What's this?"
- Momma
- Dada
- Mas (more)
- Agua (water)
- Dog
- Car
- Truck
- "Kota" (which is Dakota, our dog)
- Hi
- Boo
He has also learned where his eyes are, and knows that his cheeks, mouth and nose are all parts of his face, although he points to his cheeks for each one. So, it's not quite a success yet, but it's something and while he's not quite at the "15-word" minimum I think he's off to a great start!
6 comments:
Minimum, schminimum.
I'm studying for a juris doctor, and I had no idea that "mas" meant "more" in Spanish. The bilingual thing will make him much, much stronger in the long run.
The natural ways of motherhood is "guilt" You are a great mom & your sista's are right.
It's like this one mother who raised kids who did everything she had dreamed of-missions, templem marriages, etc. She ended up going to a parenting class with someone & came out crying because she said she did so many things wrong according to the class. Go figure why moms guilt themselves sick. My husband's motto...."I don't do guilt." I know...it's natural to worry about your kids.
The way I see it-he's healthy if he's having regular bowel movements & urination. He's emotionally stable & intelligent if he's a happy, striving child. Leo does all of that and is good to go!
Yeah, I worry about Jonathan already with the talking thing--he doesn't attempt to really say words at all. I'll have to re-read your words of wisdom a few times :)
I'm so glad that you're teaching him both Spanish and English, Liz. My parents (especially my dad) really regret not teaching my sister and me Chinese along with English.
And I don't have any babies yet so I can't say that I totally understand, but I think that I do at least a little, about not wanting to start that pattern of comparing your child to others. Everyone is special and different and develops in their own time and his words will come along soon enough, I'm sure, to the point where he's just a little chatterbox that you can't keep quiet =)
My advice is to read, read, read to him!
It is wonderful to be called wise, but I must confess that I struggled just like you. Katie, you remember, didn't speak until very late (after 4). It was such a trial--but look at her now! If I compare her now to her peers, she gets better grades, is kinder and more compassionate than those same people she seemed to pale against. She is beautiful, inside & out. Leo will be the same. Any difficulties he has, will make him stronger. You are doing well, he is a great boy!
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