My 16 year old daughter still speaks like a baby when talking to family, especially to adults including her 19 year old step sister.
I feel she does it because she thinks it makes her more endearing but nobody likes it.
The issue is that nobody wants to be the one to tell her because they are afraid it will set her off in a rage and nobody wants that.
We used to pull her up when she was younger but it's like we have all given up on this battle and focus on other issues.
But it's gotten to a point now that I don't want to talk to her. It's annoying and embarrassing when other people hear it.
She is currently on the waiting list to see a therapist for her anger/anxiety.
How do I approach this and let her know in the most gentle way possible? And at what time of day. I don't want her upset at school or before bed.
Teenager talks like a baby
Teenager talks like a baby
Posted in:
Behaviour
6 Replies
This is anxiety and probably not feeling comfortable with the people she is talking to. When my son is anxious he talks really fast, too fast to understand what he is saying. I just say, too fast I can't hear you. And he makes an effort to speak properly. He does not realise he's doing it. He is 18. She would be doing the baby talk to make herself submissive to protect herself. Just a gentle reminder to speak properly but the biggest thing is to get that anxiety treated and help her to build confidence.
I'd be inclined to wait until she's getting some proper help for her mental health, I think you'll find this is some sort of coping mechanism.
Anxiety! The poor kid. You probably don’t understand how anxiety can work but this is defiantly a sign. My daughter does this when she is anxious. Your daughter needs to see a psychologist, they will help her get through these things. Please don’t get annoyed with her. She doesn’t mean it. Just let her be, don’t look at her when she
Does it, take attention off of her & distract to something else. If she starts doing it, say don’t you want to come with me and get an ice cream, or walk, or can you please do this. Distract her from what ever she is feeling anxious about. She won’t tell you she is anxious and she is covering it best she knows how because she doesn’t even understand herself. I hope this makes sense. Distraction is what works best for us.
Yeah it’s a dominance/social/ confidence/ people pleasing ‘fawning’ issue.
I actually practised using a deeper and more demanding voice because I don’t get taken seriously with a high girly voice. I also conscientiously do not overly say please, thank you, and make excuses for taking up time and space, that also is something meek women/girls do (are often trained to do and rewarded for being so ‘polite/nice’) but it doesn’t come across well and it’s not where we should be comfortable. But she needs to want to be taken seriously - therapist will definitely help.
Thank you all so much for replying. This was very insightful and something that I will bring up with her therapist (once we can actually get an appointment!). You've all made me understand how she is feeling and I already feel less (if any) annoyed.
Does she have any other indicators of Autism?? Just curious.