Wednesday, June 18, 2008

I'm Not One Of Those Mothers

My two oldest kids have been attending swim lessons for the last two weeks and during the 1/2 hour lesson parents are required to stay and watch their kids' lesson. Each session is for four days a week, for two weeks, so the faces become familiar in the stands.

There is this one woman who I noticed immediately in the first few days. I at first thought she must be a nanny. And it wasn't because she was really young or really cute. It was because of how she talked to the kids. She used a very high pitched sing-songy voice and was very encouraging. "Colton, you did SUCH a GREAT job!" she say. "Jimmy, you were SUPER!" And this to another mother and her daughter, "Wow! I have never seen a little girl sit so still when someone is doing her hair! What a GOOD SITTER you ARE!"

Now, I know this is a nice way to talk to kids. It is positive and supportive and probably builds all manner of self-esteem. And don't get me wrong, there are many times when I praise my kids and tell them how proud I am of them. But the sing-song, high pitched, gushy voice just isn't me.

I usually only talk that way to babies, cats, dogs, and other cute furry creatures.

5 comments:

Irish Coffeehouse said...

My youngest actually gets annoyed when people speak like that! lol

Irish Coffeehouse said...

Yep, I actually do like the wii. And while the newness has amazingly not worn off yet, it had MANY perks. Rooms must be *at least* tidy, dishwasher emptied and reloaded, etc before they can even consider getting on it. :)

They are learning the value of work hard, play hard. lol

Hula Girl at Heart said...

I understand. It drives me CRAZY!

Anonymous said...

I'd start to twitch listening to her talk that way.

Anonymous said...

Yep, that sounds slightly disconcerting! My kids may actually scowl at that person (I'm half ashamed and half pleased to say!) I'd be both intrigued and a bit terrified to imagine what might happen if she was not pleased with me!
Thanks for visiting my quirky Fun Monday!