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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Does anyone else have a mumbling teenage boy?

170 replies

inthesticks · 26/05/2011 15:45

Just a rant really.
DS1 has a very deep voice but speaks quietly (unless he's shouting at the x box).

We've had all those converstions about speaking clearly to adults and looking people in the eye, but I can't hear a word he says. Admittedly my hearing isn't perfect but he knows that.

Now he has a cold and so his voice has gone down several octaves and is even quieter.
I feel like I need an eartrumpet.
Or semaphore.
Or sign language.

OP posts:
Zippylovesgeorge · 26/05/2011 15:49

I thought thats what they all did?? Mine do :(

highriggs · 26/05/2011 15:50

mine did as well, just normal

admylin · 26/05/2011 15:50

I keep thinking i'm going deaf and with mine it's even worse because sometimes he speaks a different language and I don't understand a word (he's bilingual).

MoreBeta · 26/05/2011 15:54

DS1 does. Age 11 and on a bad day I really do have to stop him and tell him to breathe in, think what he would like to say and say it clearly and audibly.

Some days it is really bad and other days not. It depends where his mind is. Today he woke up in that mode. Tomorrow he will be fine.

HattiFattner · 26/05/2011 15:56

my children have learned not to mumble of they wont get what they want. DH likes to bark "ENUNCIATE, BOY" in his most public schoolboy voice.

Most of what they say is utter drivel anyway, so I let them whitter away and ignore them. If its important, they will start shouting and sighing.

TheCrackFox · 26/05/2011 16:06

I have a 10yr old boy - what age does the mumbling start and when do they grow out of it?

Original poster
inthesticks · 26/05/2011 17:27

It seemed to coincide with his voice breaking when he was 12. He's 15 now and it's got worse lately.
To be fair he doesn't do it all the time.
But it often seems worse when he's trying to ask a question.
DS "low mumbling noise"
Me - no response
DS "identical low mumbling noise"
Me "pardon"
DS "mutter, mutter"
Me " pardon?"
DS "slightly louder mumble"
Me " It's no good mumbling I CAN'T HEAR YOU"
DS "Doesn't matter"

OP posts:
Maryz · 26/05/2011 17:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WherecanIhide · 26/05/2011 19:27

Yes - then gets angry/fustrated when I keep saying "pardon?"

Al0uiseG · 26/05/2011 19:32

Ds1 switches between muttering and speed talking. I "think" it might be a confidence issue, they're old enough to have an adult conversation but not sure that they will get it right.

He doesn't mutter when he's with his friends and he speaks clearly on the phone. Albeit in a different language sweeet laters kk which roughly translates as "thats a marvellous idea, we can do that this evening, ok"

DinglyDangly · 27/05/2011 09:51

aarrghh mumbling - yup 15 year old still does it, started around year 8
along with greasy lank too long hair, smelly bedroom, and grubbiness.

laliponio · 27/05/2011 09:58

Goodness I thought it was just my children! Nice to know they will eventually grow out of it. Am very worried about the fact that they don't seem to want to wash.....ever!!!! Even their teeth which drives me crazy as I am sure they will do permanent damage - only just discovered Mumsnet and a great comfort to know my children are not unique in this regard

TechLovingDad · 27/05/2011 09:59

I still mumble and I'm 38!

Original poster
inthesticks · 27/05/2011 10:28

Ah the washing thing. that changes the instant they discover girls.
Then it's the lynx phase.

OP posts:
Al0uiseG · 27/05/2011 12:34

TechLovingDad stop mumbling, stand up straight, take your hands out of your pockets AND PULL YOUR FUCKING TROUSERS UP.

sharbie · 27/05/2011 12:37

he he mine does a mixture of mumbling and grunting and only speaks to me directly/comes home even if he wants something

BiggerAndBadder · 27/05/2011 13:03

mine is guaranteed to speak as i pass his bedroom on my way to get changed after work - but only to say mumble "Whats for Tea?"

Threadworm8 · 27/05/2011 13:09

It's good to hear these tales. My 15yo boy is a mumbler and he gets really angry when I don't hear him.

"Muhrorneradahoe?"

"Pardon?"

"I SAID Muhrorneradahoe. Muhrorneradahoe! Muhrorneradahoe! Why don't you LISTEN! NEVER MIND"

Ooopsadaisy · 27/05/2011 13:15

Oh yes, the low rumbling sound that seems to emerge from beneath the hair and spots.

I'm living with the honey monster.

And don't even get me started on those bloody great shoes that are all over the house.

TheCrackFox · 27/05/2011 13:19

It seems I have so much to look forward to Hmm Grin

Toomuchtea · 27/05/2011 13:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MoreBeta · 27/05/2011 14:55

The thing that really gets me is DS1 has a voice like a foghorn when he wants to. I can stand at the back of our house and actually hear him shouting on the school field 100m away. When he gets home I cant hear him 1m away.

Annunziata · 27/05/2011 15:37

I too have been known to scream "Enunciate!" up the stairs.

It's worse when you work with them- the amount of 17/18 year olds who mumble their way through interviews etc is soul-destroying!

Get0rfM0iLand · 27/05/2011 15:49

Count the likes.

'Hi mum, yes I like did the dishes earlier one but i had to like leave the roasting dish in the sink to like soak, as it was tough to like scrub the dish. Oh GOD Sophie is so like annoying because she like borrowed by hoodie today and she is like going to Bristol tomorrow so I can't get it back. I am like so annoyed at her. Mum can I have a tenner?'

It is like an Alan bennett dialogue, seen through the eyes on n Dubz.

reastie · 27/05/2011 15:49

no but i have a mumbling dh - most annoying i can tell you Angry .

sorry for lack of caps btw - baby on one arm Grin