As I may have mentioned before, Ironflower turned 3 last month and Lovebug will be 2 in March (aka is 22 months old). And I’m having some anxiety.
I’ve successfully avoided talking about it with anyone. Except for the casual comment I made to the other moms at preschool pick-up time yesterday, but that hardly counts, right? I mean, it’s not possible to have a serious conversation during pick-up time anyway.
I’ve tried to avoid writing about it, which may be why I have struggled to come up with good blog topics despite my perpetually humorous life.
So I’m just going to get it out there.
Even though I am ashamed.
IamworriedaboutIronflower’sgrossmotorskillsandLovebug’sspeech.
Ahem.
I am worried about Ironflower’s gross motor skills. She still can’t pedal a bike or do a somersault (I was fine with the lack of somersault until I heard about my friend’s daughter, who is Lovebug’s age, doing a somersault). And she still struggles with pulling up her pants and pulling on her shirts. It’s like she hurried to this point in her gross motor skill development and then stopped.
I am worried that Lovebug only has a few two word phrases and that he’s very hard to understand. People who don’t know him can only understand a few words. A lot of the time it seems he’s not even trying to talk, though he can pop out with amazing words (once you decipher them) when he feels like it.
But mostly I am worried about me, because I am pretty sure I am being a paranoid freak. Or a competimommy.
Any thoughts?
9 responses so far ↓
AnGlOpHiLe FoOtBaLl FaNaTiC // January 16, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Now you know better than to compare, don’t you. Did Lovebug walk early? Cause if they do, they tend to talk much later. Don’t panic. My BFF’s son didn’t really talk well until he was three. Now you can’t shut him up.
As for Ironflower, she can pull her pants on by herself?? And, her shirts? You’re kidding right? That’s much better than my tyke. And, he’s only 4 months younger.
Don’t panic. They all get it.
Thalia's Child // January 16, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I wouldn’t worry about the somersault situation - I still can’t do one!
But seriously, Ironflower sounds normal to me - getting dressed is not an easy task for a kid. I used to babysit kids who had a hard time when they were 5 and 6 years old. One of them is the top female athlete at her school (she’s in grade 11 now) and she already has an academic scholarship lined up at a big university. And the other one (her sister) is the top junior athlete at her schoo,(grade 9) and pulls down the kind of marks that will secure a scholarship in a few years as well.
As for Lovebug, if you’re really concerned about his language - ask your doc about it. Lots of kids who are slow speaking aren’t slow mentally - they have hearing issues. The same little sister (the one in grade 9) didn’t speak more than 2 word sentences until she was 4, even after she had the tubes put in her ears. She still struggles a little to hear properly in crowded rooms and after swimming, but it’s not because something was wrong with her brain.
I think parents have huge pressure to have kids that are more advanced than they need to be - Lovebug sounds totally normal to me from my (more recent) experiences with friends toddlers.
Anonymous // January 16, 2008 at 7:26 pm
first of all, is it just you that has these concerns or has someone else mentioned them? Our pediatrician suggested that our son had physical and speech delays and had him enrolled in an early intervention class. When he started the class the speech and physical therapist said they were not even going to see him anymore because he was doing so well. The doctor was not the one who spent everyday with him so she could not really get a good idea of how he was developing. You are the mother and you know better than anyone else. If these are your own concerns I would check out some resources to see how children that age should be developing. I really wouldn’t worry about the speech thing with your son. Two year olds should not be easy to understand and if you can understand him and you know that he’s talking thats great! I hope this helped.
silken // January 16, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I hear that mommy guilt worming its way in. It’s hard to fight against. let the mommy in you know that she is doing a great job! hang in there and if you do feel the need for outside help, don’t be embarrassed to ask for it. or if you are, just ask anyway!
April - Vaginas, they're not just painted on! // January 17, 2008 at 12:27 am
normalnormalnormalnormal!!!
I don’t think Jet really started talking until 2.5yrs, its fine it really is
(I worried about it just a little too though, LOL)
And dress himself, hmmm, shirts yeah, pants not a chance in hell, rofl.
Life As I Know It // January 17, 2008 at 1:07 am
My six year old didn’t pedal a bike until he was 4 I think. Seriously. He just wasn’t into “physical” stuff until he decided he was ready.
And speech? They all develop at different ages. I bet one day your two year old will just start talking and talking.
Don’t worry! Sounds like they are both doing great!
Cherann // January 17, 2008 at 5:09 am
Have you spoken to your pediatrician about your worries? They generally know whats normal developmentally. And if there is cause for concern, he or she can refer you to someone who can help.
Keep in mind though, that different kids have different aptitudes. Especially when it comes to athleticism.
madamspud169 // January 17, 2008 at 1:15 pm
My son was 4 in Sept and still has trouble pedalling a trike. He just doesn’t have the co-ordination for it & prefers to just scoot along using his feet. He’s very quick when he does that.
While he can only vaguely somersault he is an expert at dropping things, falling over, and standing on my feet. He can easily complete a jigsaw aimed at older kids so I’m not worried. He just isn’t as graceful as other kids his age sadly.
Leslie // January 20, 2008 at 5:00 am
It’s hard not to compare your child with others. I mean, parenting is tough in that you don’t get grades or performance reviews. How do you know you’re doing a good job? It’s only natural to see how others are doing and make a comparison. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
On the other hand, your kids sound like they’re doing just fine to me. But what do I know? If you’re really worried, I’d mention it to their doctor. But I can tell you, it doesn’t sound as if they are developmentally delayed. Every child develops at their own pace. Chances are, they’re on track or even ahead of the game in other areas. It’ll all even out.
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