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Thursday, December 2, 2010

Talking Back

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later! In this case, later!
One of the triplets finally 'talked back' to me.
Quite a feat for a non-verbal child,
but he can pronounce a few words clearly. Still, it took 17 years!
I was doing the normal bedtime routine and called Spencer to turn
off the computer and come to brush his teeth.
"No!" he said in his extremely deep voice.
"What?" I said, "It's time to go to bed!"
Spencer continued on for a full minute a long dialogue which
was unintelligible to me except for the last word... "No!"
Of course Mom won out...trying not to smile...and after helping
him brush his teeth and signing off the computer, he was still
grumbling to himself all the way down the hall a long diatribe,
ending in "No!" :)

45 comments:

  1. In some way, it is so sweet for us, isn't it, when they disobey and show their spirit and independence:-) I so know how you feel when you are hiding the smile!

    BTW, I work with a girl who has an autistic son and I had to share your story about Spencer refusing to go to school with her. She enjoyed it very much, especially the part where he protests at school! That boy cracks me up!

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  2. Heather ~ Yes, in a strange way, it's progress! :) I do get a kick at how clever and sneaky and funny he is!

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  3. I call this a "Boo-Hip-Hip-horray" moment.

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  4. "Testing, testing". He just enjoys family time and didn't want to go to bed so early! Good try! It would be hard not to smile!

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  5. I'm excited! I knew it was coming! Keep us posted.

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  6. your posts always just make me smile...your attitude is inspiring!

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  7. LOL He's braver than I was..I didn't ever say that to my parents! ;D

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  8. Seventeen years without talking back! Parents worldwide should envy you for that.

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  9. awwwww, that gave me a smile tonight...which I needed badly! I can just picture him giving you a hard time! sweet sounds of teenage boys..;j

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  10. This made me smile.;))I wonder if this will now become a regular occurrence.;))
    xoxo

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  11. I'm with the smiling people here, both for his comments and your reaction!

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  12. There is a kind of cry of triumph which often accompanies a great achievement. I shout it out on Spencers' behalf and in the knowledge that it won't be long before he shouts it himself.
    " .... YES"

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  13. nice...welll not nice the back talk, but then again...ok i am just smiling...

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  14. It would have been so hard not to smile for sure!!!
    Good for him!!
    Ha!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  15. I hope that Alex and Harry won't copy Spencer, otherwise you will have three resisting teenagers ... :-) it's a sweet post Betsy!

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  16. Silver Fox ~ I always used to tell Taylor that when he tried to talk back. I'd say, "You know, your brothers don't sass me like that!" He'd roll his eyes and say, "Oh, Mom!" haha

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  17. Alan ~ now "Yes" would be a great one! haha.

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  18. What a nice shocking surprise. Here's to more back-talk! -J

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  19. :D!!!!
    I have no words for how excited I am for you. I would love for Clee to talk back to me one day although he does do it in body language.

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  20. Natalie ~ my guys do the body language, too...or Harry will shake his head 'no' but this was the first real word, real back-talk. ha....with the attitude!

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  21. Oh dear ... just remember that NO is ON backwards ... He is like an actor on stage .. rehearsing his line.

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  22. Go Spencer! He knows what he wants and he knows how to say so! Like every other teenage boy on the planet, he doesn't want to give up his computer time and go to bed.

    Betsy, Spencer would definitely be the one to sneak out of the house and lead all the rebellions if he could. I'm still smiling at the thought of his protest at school.

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  23. Stevie ~ it is SO true~ he would be our trouble maker for sure! In a way he is, but I can't imagine what a handful he would be if he was a 'normal' child with a driver's license, etc, etc. haha..oh dear!

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  24. Oh, but isn't that independent spirit something to celebrate?!

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  25. This is great! :)
    Lord Thomas of Wellington
    (The Bach)

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  26. What a moment! I couldn't help by laugh when you said his garble talk going down the hall and then a "NO" at the end.

    Betsy, what remarkable boys you have, and what a remarkable Mom you are.. God bless all of you!!!!

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  27. that is a story that just makes me smile. I know it must be a wonderful feeling to have him talk back!

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  28. OH WHOA!. It;'s almost cute in fact...a young man wiht deep voice doing that. he looks so happy here--did you take this BEFORE the talk back session?

    it sounds like you handled it well.

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  29. How bittersweet for you. Isn't it hard to talk tough to them, when inside a part of you is going "Yay!" at their spirit?

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  30. Isn't it funny how some of the things that bring stress to other parents are things that we treasure the most?

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  31. I created in my three girls a stand up for yourself attitude. Something I never did enough of. Now I realize I may have created monsters. (not really, they are very productive women now)They do think they are smarter than me.

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  32. Oh my...guess you knew it would come some day?! This post made me smile today! :)

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  33. Mmm ~ I took the picture the next day. he's the only one that will smile at the camera...so nice! Now I wish he's teach his brothers~

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  34. That "no" has to thrill you! Did he see the pleasure on your face? Sorry for short comment......sitting in deerstand with husband!love my new phone!

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  35. You almost want to say Awesome or something don't ya? :-) Someone told me once that they 'wished' their special needs child could make a hugh mess... because weren't mobile enough to. So humm.. I don't think is progress! Although at the time, I probably would have been taken back a little! :-)

    Smiling with you Betsy!!!

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  36. Velvet over Steel ~ well, I'll have to disagree with you there. Anytime your nonverbal autistic child says a new word for the first time and uses it appropriately, it IS progress!

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  37. That just made me tear up!!!! What great news... I completely understand since my oldest is nonverbal(some words on a good day) and autistic as well...THANKS for giving me hope:)

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  38. Betsy! That made my day! I just love that story. Spencer CRACKS ME UP!

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  39. Dodi ~ never give up hope, right? Big hugs to you and your oldest. :)

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  40. that seems to be the easiest words for a lot from toddlers to teens...BTW that is a great photo of him!!

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  41. Класс, Я согласен с вами

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