If I hear 67 one mo time...

Oh my goodness, I totally get it! That feeling when your little one latches onto a word or phrase and just won't let it go? It's enough to make any parent feel like they're losing their mind! My recent experience with '67' really got me thinking about why kids do this and what other parents might be going through. It turns out, there are quite a few reasons our little chatterboxes get stuck on repeat. Sometimes, it's just a phase of language development. They're practicing new sounds, new words, and testing out how they fit into conversations. It's their way of mastering speech! Other times, it can be a bid for attention. Let's be honest, if they say something silly or annoying enough times, they're bound to get a reaction, right? Even a negative reaction is attention to them. So, if your child keeps repeating '67' or any other phrase, consider if they're looking for an interaction, good or bad. Another common reason is just pure habit. Kids thrive on routine, and sometimes a phrase just becomes part of their routine, like a little verbal tic. They might not even realize they're doing it half the time! For some younger children, repeating phrases can also be a form of self-soothing or processing information. It's fascinating how their brains work! The trick, as I found with my '67' dilemma, is often to get creative. What worked for me was making it a bit of a game, almost a reverse psychology tactic with that 'Naughty List' visual. It turned the annoying repetition into something less appealing for her. But what if a 'Naughty List' isn't your style, or if the phrase isn't '67'? Here are a few other strategies I've heard from fellow parents or tried myself: Redirection: If they're repeating something, try to shift their focus to a new activity or conversation topic. “Oh, you said '67'! That reminds me, let's go read about dinosaurs!” Ignoring (selectively): If you suspect it's for attention, sometimes completely ignoring the repeated phrase (while still engaging positively with other behaviors) can work wonders. The key is consistency! Setting Boundaries (gently): You can say something like, “I heard you say '67'. Now let's talk about something else.” Or, “We can say '67' once, but then we're done with that phrase for now.” Understanding the Root: Is there an underlying reason? Are they anxious? Tired? Overstimulated? Sometimes the repetition is a symptom. Positive Reinforcement: When they don't repeat the phrase, or when they engage in other conversations, praise them! “I love how we're talking about so many different things today!” It’s all about finding what resonates with your child and your family. Every kid is different, and what works for one might not work for another. The important thing is to stay patient (easier said than done, I know!) and remember that these phases usually pass. But honestly, sometimes, you just need a clever little hack to speed things along, especially when '67' is on an endless loop in your house! Keep experimenting, parents, you've got this!