Monday, March 5, 2012

Lost in Translation

I know...shocking, two posts in one day.  Don't get used to it, it's just a fluke!  Now back to the regularly scheduled programming:

Matthew and I have been chuckling the last few days over the number of languages we have learned in the past few months.  I certainly feel as though I am qualified to add multi-lingual to my resume (should I ever need one in the next few months/years).  No, I haven't started using Rosetta Stone although they may want to consider adding this to their library of languages offered.

I have become quite fluent in the art of translating Toddler Talk.  Kinley has started using her voice A LOT more over the last few months.  Since I am with her all day long, I have been able to decipher quite a bit of what she is asking for/demanding at any given time.  Most people (even Matthew, Abbey and Brady) will look at me in bewilderment when she starts saying something, because 99.9% of the time, her word is nothing like what the real word.  But she knows what she is trying to say and she will shake her head "no" if you get it wrong.

My next language learning experience is "Moody Mumbles."  This would be the language of a nine year old boy.  This kid is moodier than a postal employee at the DMV!  You never know what might set him off but once he is in this funk you can pretty much forget understanding a word of what he is saying.  There are a few tricks to translate his words back to English: Coke (soda...not drugs), gross boy humor, star wars and if all else fails a trip to bed.

And finally, the one that I have been struggling to grasp the most is the language of "Tween Drama."  O.M.G.  I'm sure my mother may beg to differ with me, but I don't think I've shed as many tears in my entire thirty-something years as Abbey has shed since starting middle school.  You've got the sobbing of the bff gone awry, the sobbing of boy trouble, the homework sobs, and of course the "you never let me do anything" sobs!  I welcome any and all advice on this transition translation period.  I am determined to conquer this language.  I.WILL.SURVIVE!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ummmm, yeah, if its all the same to you, I will stick to the Toddler Translation, thank you. I am at the expert level with Lindsey and feeling pretty accomplished. I don't think I should take on another language at this time.

143

gretchen said...

I with ya sista! Unfortunatly, I don't get to go through the fun phase of baby babble...I get the moody, grouchy, and a touch of the drama phase. Oh, to be a mommy. Stay the course and know this is a phase (downside is we have to go through these phases over and over again with each one :)
Love you!

Anonymous said...

It might be wise if my oldest learned how to mumble. She speaks ahd shows her emotions VERY clearly. Needless to say, that does not go over very well sometimes. Maybe we need to get together and come uo with a anti-drama plan. As my favorite llama mama would say, stop all this llama drama!

lydia said...

You will survive! I was a moody, dramatic, and very difficult teenager to live with. If my mother survived, you will too! Many prayers for you!