Tia Leschke

>
> So, when did your kids start regularly ordering meals for themselves,
> responding to waitpeople, cashiers, or people at social gatherings who
> polietely say something to them? I'm just curious. And has anyone else
had
> the experience that their child used to talk quite a lot and now doesn't?

I remember taking Lars for speech therapy when he was 3. (We were in the
constant question phase, and I couldn't understand the questions - very
frustrating for us both.) The therapist wanted me to send him in alone. I
told her that he could go alone if he wanted (I knew he wouldn't) but that
she could count on him not saying a word to them if he did. He was very
uncomfortable speaking with strangers (even people I knew) for years
*except* in a sports situation. The first time I took him to a sports group
(age 5), he boogied right off to play. I was surprised and mentioned it to
dh, who said he was exactly the same as a kid, shy except for sports. <g>
He gradually became more comfortable, but he still wouldn't call anyone on
the phone. Even when friends called him, he'd get on his bike and go over
to their house rather than return the call. Now he'll call friends, but not
businesses.

My granddaughter will talk to anyone, and has for a long time. She gets on
the phone to call and invite people she barely knows to performances she's
going to be in, that kind of thing. The other day, she insisted on going
into the bank *by herself* to do her banking. She's 8. Lars is 15 and
still wants me to come in with him, though I no longer have to go right up
to the teller with him. I think he's more concerned about filling out the
slips correctly. Kids vary so much.
Tia

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
saftety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin
leschke@...