When the Noise Gets to Youby Kori Rodley Irons | More from this Blogger 10 Feb 2008 08:06 AM I know that my years of parenting have increased my tolerance for all sorts of things: mess, chaos, whining, and noise. It is amazing how quickly we acclimate. Even if we used to be the most calm and mellow person, craving and appreciating our quiet alone time--we do get used to the noise and rambunctiousness of family life. Well, at least most of us get used to it and for most of the time... I was at a coffee shop the other day and while it was a busy place, it was relatively calm--there was the constant buzz of adult conversation and the sipping of coffee and tea. A woman came in with a seven or eight year-old and an umbrella stroller stuffed full with a two-year-old. The noise level in the coffee shop immediately shot up. The toddler was apparently unhappy and between cries and squeals, her older brother tried to wheel her around to keep her distracted at the mom's request, but she wasn't to be satisfied. While some coffee shop patrons were getting obviously annoyed, I noticed that the mother seemed calm and unfazed. I felt compassion and understanding--we get so used to it, that we learn to march on regardless. Still, there are those times... There are still times for me when the noise can get to me--I am sick or just worn out, or trying hard to concentrate on something that isn't coming easy. Those are generally the times when the loud bustle, arguments, music, phone ringing, television, etc. can really wear on me. You would think I was like my friends who don't have kids are ultra-sensitive to the noise and chaos! This is when we need a time out--we need to get out for a walk, sink into a hot tub, and sequester ourselves in our room with our own music blaring. Then an amazing thing happens--after a short period of quiet, calm, and rejuvenation, many of us actually start to feel like it is "too quiet;" we start to miss the noise and chaos of our families! Also: Is Noise Driving You Mad? Learn more about Kori Rodley Irons  Bio has been removed by administrator Relevantparenting tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags chaos, calm, noise, respite Discuss this article
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