126 votes
pomegranate / 3003 posts
As a SAHM, I talk to her, a great deal. I narrate parts of our day, and label things she becomes interested in. I also echo her sounds and approximations, to reinforce language. She's only eight moths, so we're not exactly conversing, but she's recently become very vocal so I like to encourage that. I do appreciate some quiet time, so there are parts of our day that are relatively silent, or just filled with softer, background music.
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
@oliviaoblivia: I do a lot of the same things. mostly asking questions.
I talk a lot, but still worry it's not enough. I get tired since I'm with him all day and then suddenly will realize we are eating our lunch in silence.
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
@Mrs Green Grass: In the car we usually sing or count or I tell him what we are going to do next.
coconut / 8681 posts
I found it easier once DS got older- it was hard for me to find things to say as a newborn. I think I started talking a lot after about 6-8 months. Since then I feel like I talk to him CONSTANTLY.
grapefruit / 4085 posts
I talk to her a lot and also narrate things. A lot of it is just going through the day, telling her the things I have to do, etc. I make it like we're having an actual conversation and I also ask her questions - do you want your milk? What does a cow say? And stuff like that. I talk to myself a lot so now I'm talking to her instead - ha
pomelo / 5628 posts
@Mrs. Jacks: Great! Not walking yet, but getting closer all the time. A few simple words and lots of babble. He's still stuck at a little under 18 lbs though. But it's ok.
blogger / pomegranate / 3201 posts
We are twinsies!!
I also think about this a lot. I'm not a big talker usually and I talk so much at work all day that I am pretty quiet when I get home. I have worried about it affecting Liam's language acquisition, but so far it hadn't seemed to make a difference. He's not the biggest talker, but he is definitely not delayed. I also try to make more of an effort to talk to him as much as I can.
pomegranate / 3113 posts
I try, but I sometimes have trouble figuring out what to say. DH is really great at this, though, and will chat to her for hours. She spends more time with him than with me, and he also talks to her in his native language (we want her to be bilingual). It's funny, already we can tell she totally prefers that to English!
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@Mrs Green Grass: That's great news. I wouldn't sweat the weight too much. I'm sure adjusted he's just fine!
squash / 13764 posts
I agree that as they get older and learn more words it's easier...I used to worry about this when LO was an infant, but as he grew, it became easier and I worried less. I think those studies can drive anyone crazy....of course, we should talk a lot to our kids, but then you read stuff about letting them be on their own and not hovering and letting them explore and have independent time, and so I feel like there has to be a middle ground, where you're letting them be by themselves/independent, thinking their own thoughts and doing their own thing, and just making sure when you do interact it's meaningful a majority of the time.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
Constantly. In fact, I catch myself talking to myself at work sometimes out of habit
pomelo / 5628 posts
@PurplePeony: my dh just says "dada" constantly every single day.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
I talk to the toddler a lot but I worry that I'm not talking to the baby (one on one) enough.
grapefruit / 4582 posts
Constantly. Especially now that she's a toddler and more verbal. She won't let me NOT talk to her lol
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
LO is 5 months & I try to talk to her a lot but it's often baby talk. So I will consciously start narrating - "I'm changing your diaper. Let's unbutton your pink onesie. Oops, your purple sock came off your foot! Socks keep your toes warm. Mommy is putting your purple sock back on my girl's little foot."
I usually feel kind of dumb so I can't go for that long!
pomelo / 5866 posts
I thought I talked a lot. Then I was on a flight and overheard a father (his wife was across the aisle) talking to his 3 year old non-stop. I felt she was being overtalked (again, what do I know??) and didn't have a chance to get a word in edgewise. So definitely there's a balance to be had!
nectarine / 2973 posts
This is something I'm always working on. I think I do pretty good bit I could still be better.
blogger / pomegranate / 3044 posts
@Mrs Green Grass: with DS1 I did the whole conversation thing (ask questions, wait for a response even before he could talk, etc) and I think it helped. I also struggled with just talking to him (especially now DS2 when its just me and him!) but it gets SO much easier when they start talking/babbling back! I will also ask them questions, like what I should do next, where something is, I guess like narrating your thoughts as you said previously. I think it's ok to have time for quiet reflection though, but if he shows interest in something then try to chat about it (as you probably already do!).
DS1 is a huge talker so either the stuff I did helped or he was going to be like that no matter what, who knows
pomelo / 5258 posts
I felt really awkward coming up with things to say to LO. I found taking her to the dog park regularly helped me come out of my shell. Big vs small, slow vs fast, colors, noises, people, etc. After a few trips I got more comfortable narrating things at home. Now when I feel like I've run out of things to say I start a new activity.
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