<p>Mafool, for what it is worth, i really enjoyed your comment. I could tell how much you love your son. Awesome.</p>
<p>Didn’t read all this thread but what I have read is a hoot. My youngest, just going into high school, speaks a related language – Gruntal. I get tired of translating so I just go ahead and do whatever I was going to do wthout his input when I ask him a question and I get an answer in Gruntal. Or I ask him to speak up and repeat himself at which point he replies in a dialect–Pigeon Gruntal.</p>
<p>I dont make a fuss, second time around. I dont ask three times I just ignore him and I make decisions, do what I want, without his input . Then I let him live with the consequences of my actions. Very slowly, he’s learning that if he wants to be heard he has to actually use English.</p>
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I think truelove means that some of the posters think mumblish is upsetting, however some of the posters give the impression it is just funny or entertaining. If it is a problem I will handle as I said previously…and my answer is the same:
“Nope…no mumblish here…much less I will allow that.
What can you do?
-Stand tall and high and demand clarity.
-If you experience the teenager’s answer “I don’t know”; then, do the same --stand tall and high and said something similar to "that is not acceptable neither, You better give me an acceptable answer.</p>
<h2>-Your kid is a college student, you are paying for their education…so no mumblish is authorized…they need to start to practice for the work environment…where 'the mumblish" is not accepted neither.Now if you are questioning your kid daily, when they are busy, probably I will understand the mumblish. They also need their space.”</h2>
<p>So in a way I agree with truelove. If ”mumblish” is a problem take care as soon as possible, as a parent, do not treat the problem lightly or as something funny or entertaining-- tackle it as any other bad or disrespectful act. </p>
<p>What are you doing to avoid mumblish that should be the question?</p>
<p>My father, a very strict man, used to say “when you talk to me look at my eyes”…and much less mumblish was allowed. He would have seen “mumblish” as a sign of disrespect.</p>
<p>Please, back to light hearted, we’re-all-in-this-together conversation. Anyone that’s really bothered by Mumblish should start a new thread. </p>
<p>If we’re having a serious conversation, there is no mumbling.</p>
<p>There is nothing cutsie about mumbling. It is a sign of disrespect. Period. There are many other forms of humor that are acceptable. This one is not. Our family speaks clearly and will communicate in cogent terms if they are being annoyed by a barrage of questioning. Should this occur, we simply state, “Mom/dad, can I get back to you with that question? I’m focusing on something.”</p>
<p>I think some people are confusing mumblish with grumblish. I think mumblish is kind of “cutsie”, but there’s certainly nothing “cutsie” about grumblish. Period.</p>
<p>This was such a fun thread until the Holier-than-Thou took over! My daughters are fine but my sons, well, they don’t speak mumblish, because they don’t speak at all.</p>
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<p>Well how many of us did not talk too much or at all when we were teenagers?
Many years have elapsed…as a teenager, I recall myself as to be shy and not talking too much.</p>
<p>People changes with experiences, but we need to help our kids to prepare for their future. Good communication is a must when searching for jobs.</p>
<p>I’m not concerned about these kids communication skills when looking for jobs. Most of these kids have NO problem speaking correctly with teachers, bosses, neighbors, etc. </p>
<p>I really think it’s kind of a “cutting the cord” issue.</p>
<p>It’s actually a cutting any semblence of respect for you as a parent. Don’t kid yourself.</p>