It's True. Kids Do Communicate!

Boy child has taken to writing me notes. Sometimes it's a couple of short notes and sometimes it's one long note that he adds to periodically. When he comes to the house he sheepishly presents them as if I'm not supposed to realize where they've come from, but at the same time he expects me to instantly stop when I'm doing to acknowledge, read and respond to his communication. It's sort of cute really.

He's also started doing this thing called "So what do you want to talk about?". What generally happens is the two of us will be in the car or we'll be at home but girl child will be in the other room, most definately out of earshot, and boy child will say "So what do you want to talk about?". Generally that's his cue to me that something is on his brain but he doesn't want to initiate a conversation about whatever the topic is. He's still waiting for Mom to open all the right doors. Sometimes I'll have an idea about what may be on his brain - lately it's been all about scout camp. Yes, the child is off to his first ever all week camp on Monday. (sigh, I'm sure he'll have all kinds of stories when he gets back) Anyway, there are those times when something not so obvious is on his mind so we have to play this little game to get to the heart of the matter. When I have no idea what is on his brain I'll say to him, "Oh I don't know, why don't you tell me about (insert name of current girl of interest here)?" His response is generally, "Ummm how about we talk about (insert subject that was on brain) instead?" Mom says, "Sure." And off we go.

Girl child is still a fairly closed book. If I can see her face, I can tell you what's going on in her brain. But if we're talking on the phone, she's in another room, she's behind me in the car... I just have no clue sometimes. Getting her to open up is like pulling teeth. And initiate a conversation about anything not related to Webbkinz (yes that is intentionally misspelled) or pet related?? Not my girl child. She likes to hold it all inside. Sometimes she'll just come and sit next to me (or in front of me) and just sit. That's it. Just sit. She especially like to do that when I'm on the phone or have both hands into a project. That's my cue to read her body language and figure out what is happening inside her head. I hope someday she adds some words to help me out when gets in those moods. So we work on that - slowly - chipping away the walls that she has in place (she does take after her momma in so many ways so momma recognizes them) and telling her that it's ok to verbally express her thoughts. When we had "the" talk that all girls of a certain age should be having with their parent, I thought she was going to die of embarrassment, but when she needed the information she was glad she had it tucked away.

It's just funny to see the way that both children communicate in such different ways - boy child with his words and girl child with her face. But I'm not complaining. At least they communicate. I hope they always feel like we can talk (even if they are embarrassed to death) so they will have the information and insight they will need to go forward in life.