If there’s one thing I won’t stand for in this house, it’s bellowing at someone from another room when one wants something.
I will. Not. Have it.
Because besides being just too damned loud, (and a bit rude – I mean, really!) invariably, half the request will not be heard properly the first time, then requiring a long, Paaar-duuun meee? echoed back, meaning the asker will have to shout his or her request all over again. There is, in fact, a good chance the request will need repeating yet again. The lengthy duration of an exchange like this could have (and should have) been rectified with a quick walk over to the person with whom you’re trying to speak.
Child: Mum-meeeeeee?
Me: Yes?
Child: *muffled* Um… where did you put… what did you do with… um… where’s that thiiiiiing?
Me: Pardon me?
Child: Paaar-duuun meee?
Me: *a little louder* What do you need?
Child: Paaar-duuun meee?
Me: *crazy now* Comeandseemeplease!!
Or, it happens between them, like this.
She: Ol-liii-veeeer?
He: What?
She: *muffled* Um… where did you put the… what did you do with… where’s that thiiiiiing?
He: What thing?
She: That thiiiiing? With the stuuuuuff?
He: What! THING! What are you talking about?
She: You know, that thiiiiing… *muffled again* …the one we had before, but it was broken, and you said we should use it on the other thing…”
He: *muffled* Paaar-duuun meee?
She: *muffled* Paaar-duuun meee?
He: No, what did YOU say?
She: Paaar-duuun meee?
Me: *crazy now* Oh for GOD SAKE, will you PLEASE go and see your BROTHER? He’s JUST in the other room, Jesus lord…
SILENCE, I COMMAND YOU!!
(Don’t ask about the potatoes. I just don’t know.)
I mean, this house isn’t very big. With the exception of, Mummy, can you come, please? I much prefer a child ask me for something, right at my side.
And lord help the child that calls me to where he or she is, only to place some kind of food order. If you want something to eat or drink, then please come and get it. This is not new to my kids. I’m forever shrieking about how I am not the maid, as I tidy and straighten, launder and wipe. They dare not giggle when I say it, either.
Ava Scarlett had a friend over to play the other day, and as I got the children set up in the TV room, with games out and a movie cued to play, I asked if anyone required juice or snacks. They both shook their heads, and dove into the toy cupboard, barely paying me any mind at all. I made my way to leave, and said to come and find me if they needed anything.
The friend said, “Okay, sure.”
And Ava Scarlett added, “Yes, we will let you know if we want something.”
“Good!” I said.
She quickly added, “And we will come to the kitchen to ask you if we want something.”
“Good girl, thanks.”
I walk away, but hear her say to her friend, “Yeah, we won’t yell to her because because she’s not our servant.”
Aaaaaand, scene.
Looks like the kid is finally getting the hang of things around here. My work here is just about done, I reckon. It’s quieter too…
Do your kids shout from room to room? Do you answer?!
I sooooo cannot stand yelling. period. I am constantly shouting back – if you want something – come & ask properly! l
*head hits desk* D’oh!!
totally! lead by example, huh? i slap my head every time i do that, too! 🙂
I particularly love it when I find myself shrieking, “don’t holler at me from another room! Come and speak to me!” Sheesh.
Oh, man. I’d go crazy, Caren. Whassamatter with kids today, huh?! 😉
Sarah, they do it to make us crazy. It’s the only logical explanation. And? It’s totally working, yo…
Hee!! Indeed, how DARE YOU leave the room, Sara?! Gah.
Thanks for standing next to me, sistah. Oy. When they ask me what’s for dinner? I say,
“Food.” And I did have to stop answering them for a while – eventually they came looking for me… 😉
We’re on a three level split, and I work from home, down in the basement. Guest what every body calls out to me when the get. It’s like they think I can’t here them from down there “I can” lord help me 🙂
Our house isn’t huge or anything, but it’s 2 floors and you totally can’t hear someone on the main level if you’re upstairs, so yelling has become the norm. I HATE when Z yells for me, though, when he knows damn well I’m putting the baby to bed. URG! Why do kids do that?
Ugh – I get the ‘Mom Mommy Mom – WHERE ARE YOU’ if i have the audacity to leave the room…gughghghghghg
lol..I am in the kitchen standing right beside you and totally relating. My favourite saying is “this is not a restaurant” everytime they bellow out “what’s for breakfast/lunch/snack/dinner/dessert” . But next time..I may just NOT answer and see what happens! 🙂