Years ago, before we had kids, I worked in an art center on the Main Line just outside Philly. I worked with a lovely woman who had 4 kids ranging in age, at that time, from 9 years to 17 years of age. She was the perfect mom: patient, fun, caring, sweet, etc. Everything I knew I wanted to be when I had kids.
One day, she was on the phone with one of her kids. I wasn't paying attention to her conversation until I heard her voice change. I don't recall what she said, but distinctly remember how she said it. It was an unearthly bellow from the pit of her stomach. It sounded so unlike her that it frightened me. When she got off the phone, she turned to me and in her normal sweet and soft voice said, "You just witnessed the mom voice."
One day, she was on the phone with one of her kids. I wasn't paying attention to her conversation until I heard her voice change. I don't recall what she said, but distinctly remember how she said it. It was an unearthly bellow from the pit of her stomach. It sounded so unlike her that it frightened me. When she got off the phone, she turned to me and in her normal sweet and soft voice said, "You just witnessed the mom voice."
The mom voice?
What the heck is the mom voice?
I could never possibly create that kind of guttural sound. And my sweet, innocent children would never push me that far.
Fast forward 14 years...
The boys were arguing, as they do most of the time, as we were trying to leave for music lessons. [note: there is almost 5 years between them so they don't have a lot in common other than verbal assault.] Their cacophony of words crescendoing as they entered the car. When I opened my door, it was if a sound bubble floated out and burst. I closed the door and lost it.
Stop it!!! Just stop it!!
The mom voice came out. It reminded me of Chris Farley in the Gap Girls skit (watch and you'll get the idea).
The kids immediately stop and hold their breath in shock and maybe a little fear. Is she going crazy?
As we drove off, I was aware that the entire neighborhood, and perhaps town, just felt their windows vibrate. I was frustrated and exhausted, but slightly relieved. What a release. In that very moment, I realized that we all have that mom voice deep inside. Even with the best parenting intentions, we will have moments of losing it. It was okay. The kids were okay, if not entertained. I just hope it never happens in public.
![om [one moment] meet up](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v7CfKHGop-LUQawciCOC4D0slOg3gidODddtmARmiOBIg829IGC42m3v5Ayb5ruqc4QJBasBfAL11LLW3SvsULCx4BhLJ_vjm_01-BXPWqP2eWwQRgWO3HEhlpWszP9RMhKGBQNbnNww6PP_-OJXwsIFQl=s0-d)
OM is a weekly meet up that promotes living in the moment. Whether funny, sad, ridiculous, or banal, actively looking for and sharing these moments will promote balance in our lives.
Share in the blog comments here, on your own blog (and link back below) or on my Facebook fan page. If you are on Twitter, use hash tag - #omMeetup so we can converse if we'd like. We'd love to hear your moment this week!
The boys were arguing, as they do most of the time, as we were trying to leave for music lessons. [note: there is almost 5 years between them so they don't have a lot in common other than verbal assault.] Their cacophony of words crescendoing as they entered the car. When I opened my door, it was if a sound bubble floated out and burst. I closed the door and lost it.
Stop it!!! Just stop it!!
The mom voice came out. It reminded me of Chris Farley in the Gap Girls skit (watch and you'll get the idea).
The kids immediately stop and hold their breath in shock and maybe a little fear. Is she going crazy?
As we drove off, I was aware that the entire neighborhood, and perhaps town, just felt their windows vibrate. I was frustrated and exhausted, but slightly relieved. What a release. In that very moment, I realized that we all have that mom voice deep inside. Even with the best parenting intentions, we will have moments of losing it. It was okay. The kids were okay, if not entertained. I just hope it never happens in public.
OM is a weekly meet up that promotes living in the moment. Whether funny, sad, ridiculous, or banal, actively looking for and sharing these moments will promote balance in our lives.Share in the blog comments here, on your own blog (and link back below) or on my Facebook fan page. If you are on Twitter, use hash tag - #omMeetup so we can converse if we'd like. We'd love to hear your moment this week!
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OMG I loved this post! I certainly have experienced my mother's MOM voice (although I am years beyond that) and I happen to LOVE that skit from SNL.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we cannot contain ourselves and you need that release. Breeeeeeeeathe haha
Thanks for the chuckle.
OMG, Linda...I can totally relate! However, be fair warned that if you use the Mom voice too often it totally loses its effectiveness, which is the world I currently live in! xoxo Beth
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is almost 18 years old and I have used the mom voice a lot over the years.
ReplyDeleteIt's always funny to me when I do it sometimes I hear my own mother in my head doing it to me when I was younger.
I also realize that when my daughter gets married and has kids she will do it too.
It's just a natural part of motherhood.
I believe the mom voice is a very powerful tool, assuming it's not used too often (then the effect will wear off). If you use it wisely, your children will never be "living in a vaa-aan down by the river".
ReplyDeleteI can't stop laughing. I'm loving those pictures at the top, and that video is too funny! Yes, the mom voice, I'm pretty sure mine came out this week after Monet had said my name, in a whinny voice, probably 1000 times that day, while hanging on my legs. The thing is, I used the voice on my husband the second he walked in the door. And good thing he did walk in the door, because otherwise I would have looked like the lady at the top. Yes, it's a valuable tool, but I agree with Angie, we just can't over use it.
ReplyDeleteYou're awesome Linda!!!
@angela flicker
ReplyDeleteMy mom voice is slightly different than my mommy voice. The mom voice has only come out maybe 4 or 5 times. It's pretty demonic, unlike the mommy voice which is stern but loving.
I knew so many could relate! BTW, would you let me know if you received this response in any way?
@Angie
ReplyDeleteI may just end up in a vaa-aan down by the river! I miss CF.
@Additionsstyle
ReplyDeleteIt's a part of motherhood that we keep secret so as not to scare off the new moms, lol!
Sigh....I (yell) speak loudly to my boys fairly often, and then i have a mom voice too! Which I'm probably using too much...oh well...hilarious pix and video though!
ReplyDeleteI think you've heard my sotto mom voice, Linda. It's the same as "Dog, you better listen!" voice. But the full-force, just for boys voice, is best kept to the privacy of home (and cars.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for CF -- I miss him too.