Growing up on the farm with the nearest neighbours over a mile away, we developed our paddock voice. The one for communicating with other members of the family, the dogs, and strongly encouraging the sheep or cattle in the direction you wanted to go.
Sometimes achieving all three at the same time…
That’s not needed so much living in London, particularly as the kids are now older and, largely, head in the anticipated direction.
However, my son has instead developed his gaming voice. This seems to be very loud, at the higher pitch end of the scale, and mostly incoherent sounds emanating at obviously tense moments.
After various (unsuccessful) attempts to quieten him – closing the doors, social embarrassment (the whole street can hear you), one headphone off – my husband tried a demonstration.
Our son was sent to the kitchen to listen…
The first attempt was barely audible, so on the second try, he channelled his inner muppet (landing somewhere between Animal and Beaker).
I just about heard it over said son’s hysterical laughter!
Not sure it was scientific enough, my daughter very enthusiastically volunteered to impersonate her brother instead, proving much more realistic.
It’s too soon to say if it has worked, but initial results are looking promising!
Tough Mother 