Parenting Without a Voice
Last week, I suffered from a minor cold. Started with a sore throat, added in some nasal congestion. It was no big deal. It didn't stop me from doing any of my normal activities. Basically, just a minor annoyance. Until Tuesday when my voice up and left me. Gone. Try as I might to get a sound out, all that came was a little more than a whisper.
I hoped with all my heart my voice would be back by Wednesday morning because I couldn't fathom how in the world I would manage to get everyone ready and out the door with virtually no sounds coming out of my mouth. Thankfully two of my kids can read, so I utilized our white board to scribe instructions for the bigger kids, and my 6 year old was more than happy to be my voice for the little ones. (He's the second born, and has always wanted to be in charge.)
I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly it all went. As one boy pointed out "It's good and bad. I am sad because you can't talk, but happy because you can't yell." I felt adequately chastised by that remark and in my barely there whisper apologized if I'd yelled too much lately, and promised to work hard not to do it anymore. I did have to find creative ways to get their attention like clapping my hands, or knocking on the counter. I more than once wished for a whistle to get them to snap to attention when I needed to communicate with them. I found myself thinking I needed to teach everyone sign language (and learn it myself) for times like these. Yet, all in all as far as getting ready for the school day goes, it was above average in terms of cooperation.
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