Everywhere I look, parents are out in full force: parents with toddlers in tow, parents with energetic pre-teens, and parents with infants snugly held against their chests. This isn’t surprising—summer is here, and families are eagerly exploring the warm, inviting outdoors. My own family is reveling in it, too.
However, one aspect of this scene has become increasingly bothersome: the phenomenon known as the Overly Loud Parenting Voice. You could be minding your own business, and suddenly, you find yourself enveloped in a loud parent’s commentary. Just ten feet away, a parent is narrating every interaction with their child as if they’re hosting a live podcast for everyone in earshot. It’s hard not to get drawn into their world, even when you’re trying to focus on your own kids or simply enjoy the moment.
I’m not sure if this loudness stems from hearing loss acquired from years of close proximity to screaming infants or if it’s an attempt to showcase their parenting prowess. Either way, it sits right up there on the annoyance scale alongside the businessman loudly boasting about his latest deal and the college student recounting her weekend adventures at a decibel level that could shatter glass.
Let’s face it: the people around you don’t want to hear your parenting monologue. We’re not thinking, “What an engaged parent!” Instead, we’re wishing you would tone it down a notch.
- In the grocery store: “What color is the orange? Is it orange? Should we buy oranges? Let’s count them! One, two, three, four… Oh darling, remember to use your inside voice because we’re indoors. What about the blueberries? Are they blue? Correct! Blue! Should we get blueberries? Not those, let’s choose the organic ones instead.”
- On public transport: “We have to stay in our seats. Right now, we can’t get up. Do you want to color? Here, I’ll give you your crayons and coloring book. Would you like some water? Drink some water. No, we can’t use mommy’s phone now. Let’s color this truck instead. Look! It’s a garbage truck! Is it a backhoe? Yes, exactly! But no, we can’t search for trucks on mommy’s phone!”
- At the playground: “We only go down the slide. Climbing up is not how we play! Look at how the other kids are using the slide! That’s not how we do it.”
- At the zoo: “Can you see the giraffe? That one is the daddy giraffe and that’s the baby! Yes, they have long necks just like ostriches. Remember the book about giraffes from the library? They eat leaves! No, our dog is not a giraffe; he’s a dog!”
- At the pool: “Please don’t run! It’s slippery from the water splashed out of the pool. You could slip and fall. Mommy doesn’t want you to get hurt! Ice cream? We have to eat lunch first, silly. We always eat lunch before dessert. Would you like the veggies with the hummus we made together? Isn’t it delicious?”
These are genuine conversations I’ve endured recently, and while it’s natural to engage with your children about their surroundings, there’s no need to do it at such a volume that everyone has to experience it too. It’s making everyone nearby feel like they’re trapped in a noisy classroom.
I’m sure you’re a fantastic parent, but sometimes, all I want is to pick out some fresh produce, enjoy a quiet moment at the playground, or admire the giraffes in peace. Please, leave the Overly Loud Parenting Voice at home.
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Summary:
This article humorously addresses the phenomenon of parents who speak too loudly in public settings, drawing attention to how it affects those around them. While it’s essential to engage with children, maintaining a reasonable volume is equally important for the comfort of others.