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Just "Shut Up" Already!
Wednesday, April 06, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Let me preface this blog post with the fact that I truly love my children. (I promise I do)
And, that in the course of my parenting career (yes, I said CAREER), I never thought I would be one of those mothers who ever lost their patience, became unglued, or decided that at some point completely tuning out to the babbles of my children would be necessary to save my soul. (Yes, my soul). And yet, here I sit 13 years into this career, with a sad confession to make - that is absolutely ironic and probably my own fault.
I can remember some 13 years ago, desperately waiting for my twin daughters to say their first words. When I was with them (all by myself), I would constantly repeat the word, “Ma-Ma,” “Ma-Ma,” over and over again. In every sentence I spoke, gravely dramatizing the Mmmmm sound, with the anticipation that my children would be the rare babies who mastered the M syllable before the dreaded D one.
After all, if they said Ma-Ma before Da-Da – it definitely meant they liked me best. 
Little did I know that I was training my kids in what has become one of their most annoying habits! Talking! Yep – kids talk way too much.
In fact, with two 13 year olds, a 9 year old, and a 4 year old – all female, my life has become a constant conversation. Even when they aren’t around, I hear echoes and voices in my head calling me constantly. Mama, Mama, Mama, and occasionally the dreaded and shrill, MaaaMaaaaaaa! Of course, what follows the word mama is rarely good. It’s usually something like this:
- “Mama, she is pulling my hair!”
- “Mama, I am hungry!”
- “Mama, she stole my spot on the couch and I said, save my seat!”
- “Mama, you are soooooo UNFAIR.” (followed by a slamming door)
- “Mama, I called SHOTGUN”
- “Mama, I can’t reach the toilet paper.”
- “Mama, where did YOU put my jeans?” (Or anything else they are looking for at that moment because, of course – I intentionally hide things)
- And, of course, the one million per day…. “Mama, I NEED ______________!” At which point, I am supposed to stop everything I am doing – and tend to that need.
Of course, even when they aren’t talking to me, they are talking. All day, it’s blah, blah, blah – whine, whine, whine - complain, complain, complain - ask, ask, ask, - gossip, gossip, gossip. Then there are the other 1,000 stories and conversations they have with me all day long – and the not so friendly ones they have with each other.
Who taught these people to talk? And really, do they ever Shut-Up!
And my husband wonders why the minute the kids aren’t around, I turn OFF the TV.
Truth is, parenthood is rarely quiet, and all the talking eventually feels like noise – especially when the kids are talking and arguing with one another.
So in a sweeping moment of disgust and rage, while I was trying to hammer out an E-Book on finches (yes really...finches), I simply had enough of the talking, bickering, whining, and “Ma-Ma’s!” In the course of 2 hours, I counted 54 Mama’s, which averages out to about one every 2 minutes. (Keep in mind the youngest was asleep). So, I turned from my desk and blurted out four little words I thought I would never say to my children. After all, for years I have taught them NOT to say this very thing!
“Just Shut-Up Already!” (Insert sounds of wincing, gasping, and sighs)
And in that moment, three kids staring at me with their hands over their mouth in total shock that I had the audacity, or the courage, or the flat out gall - to speak to them like that, ALL WAS QUIET! (Insert Hallelujah chorus)
They returned to their spots on the couch, disparaged like puppies being chastised for peeing on the floor, and they said nothing! In fact, they didn’t speak for at least an hour.
Sure, I felt bad for a few minutes. I don’t condone the word, “Shut-Up,” and certainly never said it to them when they were little. But at some point, enough is enough, and honestly – no one ever warned me just how much children talk.
In the end, every mom should know that the pitter-patter of little feet is nothing compared to the chitter chatter of little mouths.
So tell me, have you ever lost your cool with your children (be honest!)? And what funny thing did you do in that moment that perhaps shocked your children? How do you handle those days when your kids are calling, Ma-Ma, Mommy, Mom, or any variation of the word - every 2 minutes? And when you have had enough and need some peace and quiet, how do you let your kids know that it is time to “Just shut-up already!”
What's so momspirational about all of this, you ask? Suffice it to say, if your child is still very young - you should be very careful what you wish for when you teach them to talk! 
