Loudness

[DrFaroohk]

What is it about a sleeping baby that makes everyone be as loud as they can? Stepson feels like he has to yell when the baby is sleeping. He has to jump and stomp. He can't just go to the bathroom (which is near her room), he has to DANCE in the bathroom, climb onto the sink, jump down, slam the toilet seat, sing and yell to himself, and generally just talk as loud as he can. He takes special care to stomp especially loudly when walking by her room. All the while being told every five seconds to please be Q-U-I-E-T.

Guests don't get it either. They call. "Mind if I come by?" "Sure, but the baby is sleeping so please be quiet."

It starts when they pull in. They like to come in screaming off the road, so we get the loud crash bang of them pulling into the driveway. Then there's the nagger music cranked to full blast so we can to hear "BVVV BVV BVVV BVVVVV." Then the doors slam, repeatedly, because they need to announce their arrrive. And our front door sticks a little bit, which just involves pulling it slightly to the right when opening it, but no, they RIIIIP it open so there's a big snap.

Then they slam it shut, and even though it's a perfectly dry and clean day outside, they have to stomp their feet on the rug when they come in, and announce loudly "HEY DUDE!!!!"

/whisper
"Shhh...baby is sleeping!"


/yell

"OH MAN I'M SORRY I'LL KEEP IT DOWN!"

Then they grab my guitar and start jamming loudly on it.

Seriously, what the fuck is the matter with people!?!?!?!?!

[Plaidman]

The friends have no excuse. At all. Since you know they do it, maybe ya shouldn't invite them or something.

As for stepson...

Well, I've a firm beliver in getting people put in the shoes of the victims of the shit they do. Somethings it makes them learn.

If he cannot understand the reason he needs to be quiet for the baby to sleep and punishment isn't working then next time he is sleeping for whatever reason, ask your wife to go for a walk with baby or something.

Then you slam around the house. especally by the door. Scream your favorite song badily.

When he storms out and demands what the fuck, you can calmly (Or loudy) tell him what he is feeling right now, is exactly what he puts the baby through each time he does that. Not very fun is it. Baby is trying to sleep just like you are, and yet gets awaken by you. Now when you sleep, I'll do the same thing.

So yeah, if he does that again, let him know that he is going to have the same treatment randomly in the night when he is a sleep, are you sure you want to follow it?

You could also try to punish. By spanking. By taking his toys away. Various things you can do.

[blas87]

Kids are so loud and annoying, that's why I can't tolerate them and don't want any.

Even my third and fourth cousins, who are really little.....oh my Lord I hate having to go to family functions and listen to them sing and scream and shout.

I don't even know what's worse....loud drunks or loud kids.

[Greenday]

I don't even know what's worse....loud drunks or loud kids.

Drunks by far.

I just don't get the mentality of being loud as shit 24/7. There's no purpose in practically yelling during regular speech.

[DrFaroohk]

Yeah drunks aren't drunks all the time though. Kids don't go through moments of clarity. They're just kids all the time.

[anakhouri]

I hate loud people. Kids are one thing, they're wired that way. But some adults need to re-learn the concept of the inside voice.

Kids don't stay kids, they do grow up eventually.

As for your friends, now you know how they behave. If they call again while the baby is sleeping, tell them they can't come by right now, maybe in a few hours after she wakes up.

As for stepson, I don't know. Is he doing it deliberately, or does he really not get it? Maybe you can make it into a game, like, let's see how quiet we can be for the next couple hours, and if you make it two hours without shouting you get a prize or something.

[telecom_goddess]

I'm kinda torn on this. On the one hand you shouldn't have to tiptoe around with no noise while a baby is sleeping, get them used to having noise when they sleep so they will learn to tune it out and sleep anyway. But on the other hand the stepson needs to learn that he can't get away with that behavior. And none of this making a game and rewarding him crap either. He needs to behave and shape up or suffer consequences.

[Red Panda]

Little kids are pretty bad at thinking of things from another person's perspective and are also pretty bad with thinking about consequences for their actions. It may be more practical to make him play outside if he is being loud. I think the reward for being queit may also be good since kids like getting stuff and he is still punished for being loud.

The screaming at him while he is asleep is a terrible idea since

1. The punishment is far removed from the action

2. He may be too confused or upset to even understand what is happening

3. Its kind of psychotic.

4. He may think its fun be loud time instead of go back to bed time

[blas87]

I have to agree with Panda on that one, it would probably just make matters worse to do to him what he does to you and the baby. Kids aren't wired to automatically know at a young age that you are giving them a dose of their own medicine, and it's better to just try to teach them indoor vs outdoor and that the baby is sleeping, BE QUIET.

But as I've said before, there is always duct tape. Works like a charm on just about anything.