Riley has never been one for communication. She didn’t speak her first word until she was almost 2. Years of Speech Therapy have yielded a capability to say words and even full sentences. But actual communication? It’s a struggle and you’re never sure that she’s even actually being truthful – or just agreeing to get the conversation over.
When it is time to have a serious conversation with her, it’s like she instinctively gets the ‘confrontation’ vibe (even if not in trouble) and she shuts down. I wonder sometimes if we don’t need to resort to a complex series of clicks, whistles, and hand gestures to communicate with her.
The other night we had to have one of those. We wanted to talk about something – but to actually get her real input on it. We attempted a few formulas and eventually got a semblance of a conversation – consisting mostly of nods and yes’s or no’s from the Riley-girl – but a conversation.
We started by making sure she felt ‘safe’…sitting by Daddy w/ Mommy across the room – and sissy in bed. Daddy talking to her without looking directly at her. Occasionally I would ask a question in a different way.
A few words later, several head nods later…the conversation was over with Mommy having joined them on the couch and a snuggle session in full force. We were soon tackled by a little tornado of a monkey and all was righ twith the world again.
Have I mentioned how jealous I get going to blogs and seeing 2 & 3 year olds having true conversations and clever comments posted? Brandon was like that 10 years ago…now my girls are almost 4&5 and I still don’t have it with them…although Angel is getting closer than Riley (but Angel is pure goof-ball *G*).
But with baby-steps…eventually I’ll be having conversations with my daughter so brilliant that it will be ME not able to keep up…and I’ll be mystified that it was ever such a struggle to converse. At least, that is the dream.
I can only imagine how difficult this is for you as a mom every day. Communication with a child this age is a struggle even with out roadblocks. I hope that she continues to yield new avenues of communication through words and that her personality will shine through in them.
.-= Momisodes´s last blog ..Aiming low is right up my alley =-.