Where is the volume control button on a 15 month old?

[bran]

DS is quite loud, in fact very loud. DH and I didn't really realise as we hear it all the time but on Saturday in the supermarket dh forgot something and had to go halfway down the supermarket to get it while I was at the till and he could hear ds all the time, and ds wasn't even being particularly loud (by his standards).

We would like to teach him that there are times to talk quietly or to be quiet (like in church) but I don't know how. How did you teach yours?

I didn't, he is now 5 and still my eardrums ring when he is around.

A dummy?

Katemum, that's what I feared but didn't want to hear.

SleepySuzy, we have stopped using his dummy except to sleep with, but even when he had it in the day he just used to take it out, chatter at full volume for 20 secs and put it back.

Lol, I just say "ssshhh" to ds, but dp laughs

I could do with one for my 2.3 dd! as my dad would say 'she could read the announcements at Crewe station with that voice'

There's a control button???

Dd is 3.4 and still operates in binary. She can do on, or off. Can't remember when she learnt about "off".

So we do "you can talk [shout]" or "you can't say anything". She is learning about whispering, but tends to forget, or whisper extremely loudly!

Sometimes it helps to whisper to them, as they have to shut up to hear you. But as they often don't want to hear you... whispering "do you want some chocolate" usually gets her quiet.

ds1 is nearly 5 and we still need earplugs!

you need to remove their head and you will find the volume control just to the right of the epiglottis

don't forget that the head is attached in a similar way to a child-safe medicine bottle (in fact that is how they got the idea) so you have to push and turn anti-clockwise at the same time

unless of course you have the EU version in which case just push the ears together and turn

HTH

You put your hand over their mouths firmly.

I found talking quietly helps, but I can't expect it to last very long. I think abotu the only place they are really quiet is the mandir.

I used to sing dd the line from the wheels on the bus
the daddies on the bus go...sh, sh, sh

turned it into a game i.e. what do the daddies on the bus say?

only works when they're really young though.

Thanks Twiglett, but I think ds may have an Asian setting as I have been pushing and twisting and doing the ear thing and neither seem to work.

What's a mandir Kelly?

Perhaps I need one of those allergy bubbles (like a fishbowl over the head) but with double glazing to cut out the sound.

mandir = temple. Bowl over head, now there is a good idea!!

I have one like that, Bran! My 3rd child and he is SO LOUD when he gets going.

Why not make up a song where you have to be quiet - extra emphasis on the shhhh with fingers on lips. Pretend you're hiding or that you have to be quiet for treats! I know the last bit can sound like bribery but it just may work!