Its day three and counting: laryngitis. My old foe.
In my former working life (running training courses), it was an occupational hazard. It used to get me every winter. Yak, yak, yak ... until until suddenly - no voice. Now I am finding the same affliction returning. Of course its not so much from the constant chatter as the high rotation - and perhaps volume - of "get off that", "get out of there" and "don't put that up your nose".
So what to do when you have two lively small boys and a serious vocal deficit?
I have quickly discovered that squeaking is entirely ineffectual; perhaps even hilarious. Holding up cards with stern messages? Futile for the target audience. And wild gesticulation? Simply exhausting.
How about charades?
Yes, yes: 11 syllables. First word. Starts with G? Um, is it: get off my brother and stop pulling his ears? Why certainly, Mum.
Yeah, sure.
I suggest the Referee Mode of parenting. Try a whistle to get then attention and then go from there!
ReplyDeleteyeah a whistle should work, failing that, an air horn :D
ReplyDeleteLast time I lost my voice I shouted [croaked] at my child for making me shout at him when I'd lost my voice!. We both knew how pathetic that was.
ReplyDeleteGo with the whistle idea, that's an excellent idea. Otherwise....another girly weekend away?
ReplyDeleteSorry for laughing but I know how ridiculous it is - flailing your arms about while they ignore you....
ReplyDeletegoodluck!
I use a bell when this happens to me & amazingly they are all much more obliging & actually try harder...good luck & feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteOh no!
ReplyDeleteNo suggestions here... just a wish for you getting better soon (so you can yell all you like) ; )
can't help you much - but I am laughing just picturing you trying to discipline your lovely boys!!! HOpe you are back to normal soon.
ReplyDeletei think a whistle, bell, charades, and control over the remote control!
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I hope you recover soon. In the meantime, I like Kirsty's bell suggestion.
ReplyDeleteWhen your voice box doesn't work, your whistle still does! The only problem there is that we have banned whistling in my house so when I did lose my voice for a whole week I had to allow them to whistle too!!! Hope it is all better now.
ReplyDeleteBah! I too have lost my voice. It's fun for a while, until you *completely* lose it, and then it's just exhausting. There have been some great games of charades happening in our household. Hope you're better soon.
ReplyDelete