How long do you do the soft baby voice for?

[KeenBlueSnail]

I've got a mum friend who is really good at doing the soft voice at all times to her toddler.

I'm the shouty mum. Mostly I will observe and allow baby to explore but if he's doing something dangerous than I get into the shouty mum with "no no no".

I wish I could be the calm voice but toddler is 18 months and I just don't think they truly understand yet

Mmmm... There's obviously many ways to approach parenting and I don't believe there is a perfect way. I'm quite an abrupt person, using a gentle snappy voice just wouldn't come naturally to me so I don't do it. I speak respectfully to my daughter. "Come here please", I'll give her a couple of chances and then 1,2,3 take her by the hand and guide her to where we are going, often with an accompanying "when mummy says something, you listen". I give choices in the appropriate context eg. Do you want to go on the swing or the roundabout? Shall we play with the ball? Otherwise I prefer "time to ...".
"Time to go", "Dinner time","Time to put our shoes on". It's clear, no. negotiable but still respectful 🤷

I think you've just got to find the style you feel comfortable with and can uses consistently.