This post has been inspired by Fat Mum Slim’s September Photo a Day challenge x
Life is certainly not as quiet as it used to be. It’s amazing how much sound can be generated by just one tiny human. It literally starts right after they’re born and it never stops! Trying to have an adult conversation or survive a phone call is quite the experience, while silence becomes something we’re suspicious of (unless we’re lucky enough to have a break and we know our child is happily making noise elsewhere)! There are loud car ride conversations, constant toddler questions…
“Where has your hat gone? Where are my (sun)glasses? What is that? What is this? Who is that? Where are your shoes? Where is your bag? Where is Daddy? Daddy at work? Where are my pants? Where are my puzzle pieces? Open the gate for me please? Close the door for me please? What is that sound? What is this mess? Where is the dog?”
I’m just glad he hasn’t learnt ‘why’ yet.
Then there are the never-ending toddler demands and commentary on our every movement!
“I neeeeeeed a snack! I neeeed a hug. Want to go outside! Car coming! Careful! Playground! Playground! Sit on the couch! Play room! Play room! Look! Look! Water please! Milk please! Put it here! Pants please! Potty please! Reach my puzzles! Want to do painting! Lie down please! SESAME STREET! Get up please! NO! YES! Help! Swing FASTER! Daddy’s blue car! Go to another shop! Another shop! Bike! Want to go on bike! One more story! MUMMY! MUMMY! MUMMY! DAAAAADDDDDY!”
You get the idea.
There’s also the singing, which I really do not mind. It’s a bit adorable. The made up words. The dance moves. Even cuter when he thinks I’m not watching. I could spy on him forever. OK, forever might get creepy, but you know what I mean.
There are also the sounds of children’s television, annoying noisy toys which go off at any given moment because the batteries are dodgy, and the sound of my own voice as I repeat instructions over and over or try to teach him something.
Sometimes, even if I am annoyed that I can’t sleep, I will lie in bed with my eyes closed, thankful for the quiet. At times I crave the ability to complete a household task from beginning to end, without being interrupted. The ability to have a conversation with Mr Unprepared without us being told, “Stop talking, please.”
A minute – just a minute – to chew our food silently at dinner time without being told, “Talk! Talk!”
But…if I was given a choice today of an always quiet home or a loud one? I’d pick loud. Call me crazy, but I am grateful to have so much life and activity in my house. It keeps me moving. Keeps me motivated (most of the time anyhow). Makes me laugh. I don’t think I ever laughed this much before the Little Mister came along.
Still, if I could just have a mute button or even a pause button for when I make phone calls or when I’m trying to remember something really important under pressure, that would be pretty cool.
How do you like to spend your quiet time? What’s your favourite loud noise?
