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Constant Narration:

Has anyone else dealt with the stage of constant narration with their kids? I swear it seems like from the minute NB's feet hit the floor in the morning until she falls asleep at night her mouth is constantly working. She narrates every little thing she is doing while doing it. It's a fight to get her to eat anything because she is too busy talking, talking, talking to chew anything. Between the never ending spouting about what she is doing and what she is thinking, and the "remember when" conversations, and the animal noises....the only time the child is quiet is when she is asleep. (unless she is having a particularly vivid dream, then she sleep talks too)

I'm at the end of my rope. I hate to just tell her to hush. I know that in a few years I will have to pry her jaws open to get her to tell me about her day at school... but seriously? How do you deal? How do you get a few moments of quiet in which you yourself can concentrate or think? Telling her that "mommy is trying to concentrate right now" only deters her as long as it takes me to say it and then she is off and running again.

I guess more than anything, I just want to know if other kids do this too. Do they grow out of it? *laughs*

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Permalink Reply by Mamawho on July 15, 2010 at 3:24pm

GirlWho does this. Has for the last 7 years. Even before she had words, she'd babble constantly. My grandma called this trait "diarrhea of the mouth."

We moved just last week, and she was chatting so much and so fast, you'd think she had a pot of espresso. DaddyWho, hot, tired, and sore, told her "SHUT UP!!! Please!" She started to protest, because we don't say "shut up," but she realized that would probably not go over well. She quit talking, and immediately fell asleep.

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Permalink Reply by Gumbo Momma on July 15, 2010 at 7:25pm

OH! And this question kills me: "What will happen?" For example:

Me: "NB, stop growling at your brother!"

NB: "What will happen if I growl at him?"

Me: "Drink the rest of your milk, don't waste it!"

NB: "What happens if I waste my milk?"

She doesn't even mean it to be a smartass comeback, she genuinely (sp? sorry, I'm dyslexic so I don't do well with spelling and grammer always) wants to know what happens whenever __________- takes place or doesn't take place. It can be sooooo frustrating

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Permalink Reply by JTX on July 16, 2010 at 2:04pm

I am SO relieved to hear the Hive say this is common, because I have three narrators and correctors, too! My mother the therapist says that these are very cool signs of them being bright, inquisitive and aware of what's around them. But it's probably far more charming for Nanna to hear them babble away for an hour or so than for us to hear them all day long until we grind our teeth into nubs.

Please update on whether the hour or so of quiet time each day becomes effective. I think I'd like to try this, too!

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Permalink Reply by Pauperfamilias on July 17, 2010 at 10:14am

What's the problem here? These kids need to learn the valuable skills that will allow them to be useful Twitter and Facebook users. Scuse me, I'm going to the bathroom now. Ok, I'm back. Now I gotta check on the kids. CUL8R.