"Talk like yourself"

[Anonymous]

OK, so I don't think I'm handling this the best way. But my 9-year-old is a master mimic of sorts. After he's spent a good amount of time with a friend, he starts talking like them and using their speech patterns, gestures, and facial expressions. I tell him, "Just talk like yourself" and he can revert. But it honestly drives me bonkers. It isn't done in a way to make fun of anyone; he just picks it up and it is like it is "him" until I say something. What is this? It kinda freaks me out how perfect his mimicry is. Anyone else have a kid who does this?

He is a super friendly, smart, athletic kid with lots of friends but doesn't have a strong personality like some. He's super chill and easygoing. Is he seeking identity? Or am I overanalyzing it? (Guessing so...but still.)

[Anonymous]

Over-analyzing. It will happen. I know I used to do it when I was young. It’s how people pick up accents when they’re young.

[Anonymous]

I bet he’ll be an actor when he grows up. Kristen Bell says interviews that she has always done this and still does. Just teach him how to be polite

[jsmith123]

We are all biologically hard wired to do this to some extent. It sounds like your son is exceptionally attuned to other people though. I'm sure this will serve him well someday!

[Anonymous]

I tend to do this too, which has helped me greatly when moving from country to country and needing to adapt, but can be misinterpreted here.

Just tell him so he can be aware of it.

[Anonymous]

Send him to open mic night and sign him up for lots of language classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bet he’ll be an actor when he grows up. Kristen Bell says interviews that she has always done this and still does. Just teach him how to be polite

Lots of actors and writers do this--they are chameleons who are fascinated by other characters. Go on YouTube and watch Chris Pratt do his TOWIE accent. One or two actors do multiple voices for Family Guy and Simpsons. When I write, I actually feel like I'm channeling other people.

[Anonymous]

I have to stop myself from doing this. I just naturally start to pick up the accent and cadence of the other person's speech. I'm a successful adult

[Anonymous]

It's a gift.

My brother went to a sleep-away camp in South Carolina and couldn't understand why were laughing when we picked him up four days later. He sounded like he'd been fried in grits.

[Anonymous]

He’s highly empathetic, I bet. Mirroring is a very common psychological phenomenon. Look it up. We all do it. He just chooses to do it with his voice.

[Anonymous]

My DD is 6 and does exactly what you’re describing with a very similar personality. A few people have pulled me aside and suggested to put her into acting. I’m just trying to get through distance learning. She has always been like this, even as a toddler and infant. I have a picture where she is weeks old and I’m making a funny face and she copied me exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to stop myself from doing this. I just naturally start to pick up the accent and cadence of the other person's speech. I'm a successful adult

Same. Your kid may have high emotional or social intelligence.

I agree you should just make him aware that it can be misinterpreted as being fake or mocking.