₦airaland Forum

illicit:
Ok explain why I was stammering at 5 and why I quit the same week


Nobody stammers in my family...

Exceed15:
Calm down. There's nothing wrong with your boy. I used to be a chronic one when I was little but I outgrew it with time . Today It has drastically reduced. I speak by taking my time. I don't rush my words and that's attractive. MAY God bless and make him great in Life.

demoBaba:
Hereditary traits are different from those copied from friends. While hereditary traits can't be stopped within a week, they can be managed with timely caution

ConcernedDad:
I've been considering sending him to a relative but he is still young to stay with another person that is not his parents. Not that I Stammers all the time.

demoBaba:
There some words I can't pronounce right now without stammering even I calm down from now till next year.

Rubyjade:
Model slow, calm speech: Speak slowly and clearly around him. Let him see that it's okay to take time to express thoughts.

Give him time: Don't finish his sentences or correct him. Let him finish what he’s saying, even if it takes longer.

Maintain eye contact and smile: Show him you're patient and listening, not rushed.

Normalize mistakes: Say things like, "It's okay to repeat sometimes. Everyone does."

Build confidence in private: Use positive affirmations, like:
"You're a great speaker. I love hearing your stories."

Talk one-on-one in low-pressure settings: Maybe during a walk, or while drawing or playing with him.


🚫 AVOID:

- Correcting or pointing out stammering directly.
- Telling him to "slow down" or "take a breath" repeatedly — this can make it worse.
- Showing frustration or anxiety when he stammers.
- Comparing him to others (even siblings)Your concern as a father is a powerful first step in helping your son. Since you know what it’s like to grow up with stammering, you are uniquely positioned to:

Break the cycle, not just by correcting speech, but by creating a safe and confident environment.
Use your personal experience to support him emotionally and prevent the shame or self-doubt that often comes with it.
And again — the fact that he doesn’t stammer with other children is a very strong sign this is something you can successfully address now.

ConcernedDad:
Good day nairalanders. Please how do I stop my four year old son from stammering. He doesn't do it when speaking with his fellow kids, but when talking to his mom or me especially. He is my first son and can't imagine how it will be for him when he grows and wants to express himself.

A quick background to my topic. I'm the only one that Stammers in my family. Both in maternal and paternal. None of my siblings or relatives Stammers. I learnt it from a childhood friend when growing up. I know how it has limited me from reaching my full potentials in life.

Now my son is about to start his own and I'm wondering if stammering is hereditary. Please how do I stop it now he is still young. Medical experts in the house, any medical remedy for it. Thanks for your contribution.

illicit:
Ok now explain why I wasn't born stammering but the moment a stuttering boy was registered in my class

I started stuttering the same week and my parents noticed that same week and did something and I have never stuttered again until now

Again, no one stutters in my family...

Exceed15:
Me too . I only take my time. I don't see as a problem.. becoming more successful in what I do is most important

demoBaba:
That's what I said earlier, when you registered your kid in nursery, you knew their behavior before starting school; however, after a few weeks, you discovered they'd picked up some bad habits from a classmate, and when you caution them about the behavior, they'll stop it immediately because it's not part of their nature, but if you didn't notice on time, they'll grow accustomed to it.

Your stammers isn't hereditary, it can stop anytime.

Bro, I stutter to the extent that I can't answer questions in class even when I know the answer

demoBaba:
Please do everything you can to help him overcome his stammer. I understand how debilitating it can be; I struggled to speak up in class and in meetings with colleagues despite knowing more than them. I make sure none of my children stammer; it's one of the worst things that can happen to a human being.

blingxx:
I stutter too your son is not alone..don’t worry about it just a phase

ConcernedDad:
This is what I think he is doing. He seems to be afraid when talking to me especially, and not that he is afraid of me. Because he even like staying with me more than his mom. Thanks for your contribution.

tianshie:
How is it just a phase if you're now a stammering adult?

tefund:
I feel you bro,we are in the same boat.People don't know what stammerers go through everyday...iam still blaming my parents for theirs carelessness

illicit:
Stammering is a communicable thing, not exactly hereditary....

He just emulates you, maybe you should let him stay with another family where nobody stutters for a while

illicit:
Stammering is a communicable thing, not exactly hereditary....

He just emulates you, maybe you should let him stay with another family where nobody stutters for a while

ClassicEvilSpir:
Lol, you don't learn how to stammer from people; it is simply genetic.

ConcernedDad:
Good day nairalanders. Please how do I stop my four year old son from stammering. He doesn't do it when speaking with his fellow kids, but when talking to his mom or me especially. He is my first son and can't imagine how it will be for him when he grows and wants to express himself.

A quick background to my topic. I'm the only one that Stammers in my family. Both in maternal and paternal. None of my siblings or relatives Stammers. I learnt it from a childhood friend when growing up. I know how it has limited me from reaching my full potentials in life.

Now my son is about to start his own and I'm wondering if stammering is hereditary. Please how do I stop it now he is still young. Medical experts in the house, any medical remedy for it. Thanks for your contribution.

delishpot:
I know the impulse to bully/ coerce/force him to talk normally would be strong but please don't. If you must correct him, just gently do so cos if you put pressure on him, he will only get worse. Secondly, if he is multi lingual ( being introduced to new language recently) it might trigger stuttering and with time he will settle in. Just encourage him to think about what he wants to say and not rush his words.

illicit:
Maybe your parents

Just for a few days or weeks

It will make a lot of difference

blingxx:
This type of comment reminds me never to seek advice from Nairaland

Ulunne777:
Kids mimic then nature mimics!
My cousin of 5 years then gradually started stuttering.Nobody has history of it happening on both sides.
We then found out it was from a new pupil who was his new seatmate and he had found it worthy to emulate

My uncle stopped him from school for 2 weeks then asked for his seat to be changed.Stammering left.
I'm a classroom teacher and kids copy the darnest things!

asfrank:
I also had the same problem while I was a kid, I guess almost the same age. It was serious, I had to stamp my foot on the ground before I could pronounce Mama.
But it is gone now. When I grew up I asked my mom what they did, and I was told I drank water in that small calabash only. I didn't use cup. I asked if anything was added, she told me nothing was added.

It can stop.

CJStarz:
It's hereditary but guide him by encouraging him to take a deep breath and speak gently.

RadianceRR:
Thanks for sharing. I understand how tough this is. Early help from a good speech therapist and patience at home can really help. Creating a calm space where your son feels safe to speak without pressure is key. You are already doing great by caring so much. If you want, I can share some tips that helped me. Stay strong!