The noise level

At the moment we have a crazy noise level in the house and it is getting on our nerves a bit. The children seem to be constantly shouting or singing at the top of their voices or making strange noises for the fun of it. Asking them to use indoor voices or saying "you may go out to the garden to scream" is not really sinking in and just walking away (removal of my attention, the other twin is enough of an audience!) does not really work during a meal or a diaper change! Both DH and I are the more quiet types but we are increasingly resorting to raising our voices too because you literally cannot hear us over the din the children are making. I do realize that this is not helpful.

I think I need to get creative and try about a new approach to this problem. So I would love to hear what worked for you.

 

Ear plugs!
No seriously my DH and I are both pretty quiet people and our kids are so NOT. I didn't realize how much loud noise constantly drives me bonkers before having kids. They are good about using appropriate voice level when we are out and about which is nice. It does get better with age.

 

I'm watching this board carefully!!!! I have three kids that like to see who can scream louder than the other just for the heck of it. I am going banana's over this problem! I too have had to raise my voice a lot lately because they can't hear me otherwise!! I doesn't help that I won't be able to do that much longer as i'm having my thyroid removed. Goodness gracious...HELP ME!!

with that being said, my sister recommended getting a wooden spoon to get their attention! lol

Keep the suggestions coming ladies! We need them!

 

For straight up screaming (for fun) I tell them to go scream in their room. If they don't go I take them there. If the weather was better I'd just open the back door and put them outside, no warnings. I figure they'll get it eventually. Now if they do it in public I squeeze their cheeks (making them look like a blowfish, lol). Sometimes this takes a few tries for them to get that I'm serious, but usually a low whisper that we don't scream is pretty effective. This stage is embarrassing, I won't lie.

 

I usually try to get right down to their level, make sure I touch a shoulder (to make sure they realize I'm there) and I whisper in their ear that I need them to "bring it down a notch.". Usually pretty effective, especially when out in public. At home I have been known to continue to raise my volume as well :blush: doesn't really work until I get *really* loud and by then we're all frazzled.