A Quick Lesson in Parental Communication Skills

The past few years as a parent have enlightened me to the fact that those of us with small children actually have our own specific language and communication skills that differ from those without.  The following are a few examples of words you may hear uttered (repeatedly) from a parent's mouth:

• gitcha (prounced "get-cha") - uses include "gitcha hands out of that" or "gitcha finger out of your nose"!
• At-AT - not to be confused with the Star Wars mode of transportation.  The emphasis is placed on the second "at" as a way to say "cut it out".  It's usually accompanied by a stern look.
• MmMM - see above.  It's used the same way.
• stopitstopitstopit - self explanatory.

I've noticed that we also lose the ability to finish sentences, but expect the child to know exactly what we're talking about.  Evidently, at some point in their development, kids become mind readers.  It's my sincere belief that this ability is lost permanently at the teenage years where we have to repeat things often, and loudly.  Still, some of the incomplete sentences you may hear in the house hold include:

• "If you don't...." (leave that alone you're in trouble)
• "Don't make me...." (come over there or repeat myself)
• "Get...." (out of that!)
• "Close the....... " (door - refrigerator, front, closet, etc.)

Keep in mind that the part in parenthesis is RARELY heard. 

You also have to watch facial expressions carefully.  If mom's face distorts in pain, you've probably messed up.  If Dad raises an eyebrow, run.  You also learn to recognize the tone of a sigh.  Some are exasperation.  Some are frustration.  They ALL have different meanings, depending on the situation.  Yesterday, my wife and I cleaned our kids rooms.  We each took a room and spent 2 hours talking to one another through sighs, grunts and the occasional "ewww".  

I could teach a class in this stuff.....