At times she talks about herself in the third person, so I imagine this could lead to some confusion:
S: Sophia wants candy.
Me: I don't think so, honey.
S: I don't want candy. Sophia wants candy.
Me: Well, tell yourself and your imaginary friend to wait till after lunch...
The above dialogue is imaginary, but not imaginary is how creeped out I was when I first heard Sophia talking to herself in a disconcerting way.
Last week she was having a tantrum in the back seat of the car because she wanted to put on her damp shoes that were drying up in front, but I wouldn't allow it.
Suddenly I heard a calm, rational, nurturing voice interrupt her hollering:
"Why are you crying?"
Last week she was having a tantrum in the back seat of the car because she wanted to put on her damp shoes that were drying up in front, but I wouldn't allow it.
Suddenly I heard a calm, rational, nurturing voice interrupt her hollering:
"Why are you crying?"
(Tearful, tantrum voice) "I want my shoes!"
(Calm): "Don't cry. You can't wear your shoes because they're damp."
(Tearful): "But I want to wear my shoes!"
(Calm): "Your shoes are damp right now. They're drying. Don't cry."
(Tearful): "I want my shoes! I dropped them at Mamo's house and I want to wear them!"....
I adjusted my rear view mirror for a good look at what in the world was going on back there, Smeagol! She was alternating between the tantrum and her angel-faced persona with professional stage craft precision!
I told Laura about it when we got home. Laura was not amused and she expressed cautious concern about our daughter's state of mind. Indeed, it's one thing for a child to talk to her pink striped tiger and her other toys, but is this okay?
I told Laura about it when we got home. Laura was not amused and she expressed cautious concern about our daughter's state of mind. Indeed, it's one thing for a child to talk to her pink striped tiger and her other toys, but is this okay?
Well, after a few days of hearing Sophia's conversations with Sophia, I've come to accept both of them with open arms as a healthy part of our family, especially after I realized how much talking aloud I do to myself as I'm cleaning house. My conversations with myself can get quite intense, both positively and negatively:
"Oh, that sink looks great! Good job!..."
"Ouch, you klutz! What's the matter with you?!..."
Even though I talk to myself at times, I feel like it's reasonable behavior, as long as I'm out of earshot when I do that.
Oh, boy. That must be it. My daughter has great hearing. Maybe I'm to blame for her alter ego?...
Oh, well. Google search says it's normal, so maybe I should just embrace my vocal other self and give him a name. How about "Mark"? That's not weird, right?
Oh, well. Google search says it's normal, so maybe I should just embrace my vocal other self and give him a name. How about "Mark"? That's not weird, right?
