Non Stop Talking

Jonathan likes to tell me everything! I am very happy this is so, however this usually means that I have to listen to a narrative that is never ending regarding all his favorite television shows, smartphone apps and fantasy games.

It is unfortunate that Jonathan cannot express himself clearly. His narrative is cut and confused. He delivers a lot of information with motion and sound and not with words. If I did not happen to have seen the program he is telling me about, it will be very difficult to understand what he is talking about. Jonathan makes up for his lack of communication abilities with enthusiasm and tenaciousness and duration - he simply goes on and on! Prattling along about the latest TV show on Nickelodeon or on you tube. Telling me about each phase he has managed to conquer and what stage his friends have managed to get through in a favorite computer game. My  mother told me recently with great pride, that she was actually able to get Jonathan to tell her about a TV show and that by asking targeted questions, she managed to get a complete narrative from him and that she understood what he was talking about, although she naturally did not see the show!

Jonathan loves to talk to me about everything and anything. If he thinks he did something wrong, he will ask me not to be angry before sharing his information with me. sometimes he tried to lie to me, but he is not very good and I see though it immediately. It takes very little probing on my side to get the truth, and most of the times Jonathan regrets having lied, and he comes out immediately after lying with the true story, first declaring "oh, very ell, I will tell you the truth...". In such cases I always commend him on the truth and try to make him understand that it is important the he tell me everything that is on his mind.

Experts say that parents should take the time to listen to their children. that a conversation taking place in the car, when mommy is driving and child in in the back seat does not count. Experts say that modern parents tend to cut the children short and to manage them all too much. I notice that sometimes this is true of my dealings with Jonathan, and I try to improve and take the time to listen to what he has to say. Fining time is not easy. as a working mother I have very little time and two children demanding my attention. In the evenings, there is much to be done (eat, bath, sleep) and logistics to be taken care of (washing, home organisation and various errands). even so, I try to make the best of the time that I do have and to give each of my children some quality time alone with me. I truly hope I can maintain the good communication channels between Jonathan and myself, even though it is sometimes exhausting to try and follow what he is telling me...but even this, I hope will improve in time...