As the warm summer sun shines, families are out enjoying the weather—parents with toddlers in tow, older kids racing ahead, and infants nestled snugly in carriers. This scene is entirely normal and even delightful. My family is partaking in these summer outings too.
However, there’s a growing trend that I find particularly bothersome: the Overly Loud Parenting Voice. You might be minding your own business when, suddenly, you’re overwhelmed by a parent nearby who feels the need to broadcast their every interaction with their child. This auditory assault can hijack your thoughts and pull you into someone else’s parenting narrative, whether you want to be or not.
I can’t quite determine if the Overly Loud Parenting Voice stems from a loss of hearing due to years of close contact with screaming children or a need to showcase one’s parenting skills. Either way, it ranks right up there with the corporate executive shouting about his latest deal or the college student recounting their weekend escapades at an ear-splitting volume.
For those in close proximity, there’s little enjoyment in hearing these exchanges. Most likely, we’re not thinking, “What an engaged parent!” Instead, we’re wishing they would tone it down.
Examples of Overly Loud Parenting Voices
- At the supermarket: “What color is the orange? Is it orange? Let’s count the oranges. One, two, three, four… Oh, please don’t shout, darling. We need our inside voices because we are inside. Inside the store. What color are the blueberries? Yes! They are blue. Should we get some? Not those, I want the organic ones.”
- On public transport: “We must remain seated now. We can’t get out of our seats. Would you like to color? Here’s your coloring book. Do you want some water? Drink some water. This is a truck. It’s a garbage truck, right? No, we can’t look at trucks on my phone!”
- At the playground: “We only go down the slide! Climbing up is not how we use the slide. You see how those kids are going up? That’s not how we play.”
- At the zoo: “Can you see the giraffe? That’s the daddy giraffe! And there’s the baby. Look at their long necks! Just like the ostriches, but remember, ostriches are birds. They eat leaves!”
- At the pool: “Please walk; I don’t want you to slip! This water makes it slippery. If you run, you might fall and hurt yourself. And no, we need to eat lunch first before ice cream!”
These conversations, while completely normal for parents, can become overwhelming when shared at a high volume. It’s essential to engage with your children, but it’s equally important to respect the space and peace of those around you. Most people just want to enjoy their grocery shopping, playground time, or zoo visit without the added performance of someone else’s parenting display.
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In summary, while it’s perfectly natural to communicate with your children, please consider moderating your volume to ensure that everyone can enjoy their outings in peace.