Voicing Displeasure

Micah's speech is coming along nicely. Which is kind of par for the course since we're getting him his own Voice. But the fact of the matter is, even though his speech is making progress by leaps and bounds, you've still gotta listen more with your heart than your ears to understand him.

We're so grateful that Micah is surrounded by so many people that love him. More and more frequently I'm hearing others tell me that they heard Micah say this or Micah said that. And while I don't doubt for one minute that he's making an effort at saying those things, I know for a fact that they're hearing it with their heart rather than their ears. The general public still hears yells and grunts when Micah is talking.

Our pastor's wife is one of Micah's biggest fans. She also has the power to make the boy do things that I didn't even know he was capable of doing. And he does it willingly and happily. I've told her that she needs to come to my house and give me a class on how to deal with my own son. She's that good.

So the kids are pracicing for the bell choir and Micah had a yellow bell this Sunday. He knows his colors fairly well and was doing a decent job of ringing at the appropriate times. But they're not allowed to touch the clapper inside the bell because it's on a spring and could easily get messed up. That is the one hard and fast rule - don't touch the clapper.

Micah was touching the clapper. The thing was fascinating beyond measure, wiggling back and forth on a little spring, bouncing around just begging to be touched. Clearly he was mesmerized and drawn in by it's magical clapper powers.

The pastor's wife took his bell. Rules are rules and nobody is exempt. I appreciate this. But my boy was not happy with this new turn of events and chose to voice his displeasure. I was not there, but it was relayed to me by The Taker of the Bell that Micah clearly said, "Give that back!"

I have said for years that I'd cry real tears if my boy swore at me. If he would but talk, I wouldn't care what he said. Obviously I lied. My first reaction upon hearing this?

Oh, my. He's a little demanding, don't you think?

But Micah wasn't done yet. He didn't get his bell back, so he yelled, "Now!"

*blink*blink*

How does one teach a boy to speak politely when he rarely speaks? And don't give me that modeling behavior stuff. Since the day he was born I've been voicing my thoughts and reading grocery lists out loud knowing that the more he hears speech the quicker he'll pick it up. To that end, I'm very conscious that little ears are listening to me.

My second reaction on hearing what he'd said was rather delayed. It was more like, "well of course that's what he'd be thinking. I'm so thrilled to hear him say it."

Motherhood. It's never what you'd expect it to be.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Is it bad that I am just smiling at what he said! :) I know he probably should have said it more politley but give the boy some time, none of us were polite when we first learned how to talk. It takes a few years to get the idea and the habit of using our please and thank yous!

YEA for him talking!!

Pam said...

Motherhood- It's never what you expect it to be. - you said it!

Micah talking- Woo hoo! The polite will come- just glad he is sharing his thoughts!

CanadianMama said...

Sorry I have no advice but I just wanted to say how excited I am for Micah (and for you)!

Danyele Easterhaus said...

ur right...motherhood is not what i expected. i never thought i would have to tell my kids to not eat poop, for instance! i'm glad he is yelling his part! go micah!

Michelle said...

Oh how cool. And funny. But only because I'm not his mom. Gotta love those moments where you aren't sure how you're supposed to feel! :)

Jennifer said...

woohoo :) And yes, motherhood is NEVER what we expected. But tell him to keep the words coming!!!

the planet of janet said...

micah speaks ... and tells the pastor's wife where to go. *snicker*

that is the best. truly.

The Sports Mama said...

As demanding as that may have sounded, it's so much better than

:MINE!:

Becoming Mommy said...

Actually, I thought first words were supposed to be demands. In our house “Mama” isn’t so much a term of endearment as shorthand for “Woman, get your behind over here and SERVE me!”. And his other words tend to be used as demands too. We don’t get too many niceties.

And yay!!! Micah's talking in whole sentances! Apparently, he just needs to be really annoyed first.

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

LOVE the photos in your header!

Not exactly sure (other than modeling) how I'd handle that situation. I think I'd still be tickled pink that he was talking, period!

Irene said...

That is SOOOO cool!!! Way to go Micah!

Anonymous said...

Oh, how right you are! If I knew what motherhood was actually going to be like (or what it would do to my body), I am not sure I would have done it. Yeah for Micah - no matter what he actually said and what the pastor's wife actually heard!

(And that statement above? Completely untrue . . . well except for the body part.)

Trisha said...

Is this a case of "be careful what you wish for?" Seriously, it is super that Micah's speech is progressing so well. AS for teaching him to speak politely . . . I guess you just need to remind him when he says stuff about the polite way to say things. Just like you would any other kiddo!

CC said...

Huzzah!!!!!!!! The motivated are much, much more likely to make themselves heard!

Kellan said...

I love that boy! I also love how you described that people hear him with their heart - how sweet!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Karen. See you soon - Kellan

Momisodes said...

I immediately had your second reaction. I thought it was incredible how he was so absolute in his communication. I'm thrilled as well :)

AutoSysGene said...

Motherhood is not at all what I expected it would be...it's A LOT harder!!

So waiting for the day Micah tells you he loves you!!

Andrea said...

Hooray Micah!! I think it's wonderful that he said that!! Who needs manners. I am so excited for him.

caramama said...

I think it's great that he is voicing his displeasure! Honestly, I think that is more important than voicing pleasure. A smile or happy look can indicate pleasure. But the ability to speak of for oneself when one is unhappy is a fantastic skill to have! Even if it is demanding. ;-)

Yeah for Micah!

And you are so right. Mother is not what you expect.

Putz said...

our scitzophrenic boy, when he is verbal and not staring a catatonic stare into the sky with all our nieghbor's watching him, will tell us how he wants to sacrifice his all for us, kind of a savior's complex...to obey is better than to sacrifice, but to him sacrifice for us brings down all the blessings of heaven

imbeingheldhostage said...

Bless! You go ahead and try to tame that boy now that he's got word power. Thanksgiving dinner ought to be really interesting this year :-)

Happy TDay, hope it's a wonderfully noisy occasion!!

KG said...

BWAHAHAHA!

That's SO fantastic! Who knows? Maybe it's a combination of having The Voice, plus hearing all of his siblings and you talking all the time, and motivation and involvement that helped? Whatever it is, you GO, Mama!

Hooray for Micah!

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

We have those kind of problems around here all the time. She's eating, but in the living room which is not allowed. What do you do? If raising kids wasn't hard enough, they had to give us a whole new set of rules to learn!

I'm thrilled to hear Micah is speaking more!