Use your F*@#ing words

My child can talk in full sentences.  He's quite capable, in fact, of expressing himself and sharing his view of the world around him.

"See the giant excavator?"
"Water, down there.  We can't go in there.  It's dangerous." (referring to the canal)

And yet, the kid screams and screams and screams as though he was incapable of communicating even the most basic of his needs.

Chances are, if you're a parent or grandparent of a child born in the last two decades, you've adamantly told a child, "Use your words!"  In my head, the F word usually appears in that command at least once.

iStockphoto

I'm beginning to wonder though if this *request* has ever been successful, at least for a two year old.  When I ask Kellen to use his words it usually results in more screaming and even less understanding.  It's getting to the point where I often feel like I'd be justified in lying in the middle of the mall on my stomach while screaming at the top of my lungs just because the store ran out of the shirt in my size.  Momma see, momma do, right?!

While I still use this phrase in desperation, I'm trying another tactic, which is ignoring and walking away.  I still might not know what the kid wants (or needs ::snort::), but usually he stands up and follows (usually screaming "Mommy, come back").  I know the other parents look at me in disgust, but at least I've saved my sanity, at least momentarily.