Yesterday I stood in the middle of the living room – eight screaming babies scurried about at my feet. Some threw toys, while others let the crocodile tears run wild. Smiling, laughing, holding…nothing could calm this ever-increasing cadence of wailing.  At one point their screams began to synchronize and sounded much like a middle-school band warming up for their concert. Varying tones and note lengths began to blend together, making the sound even more profound.

 My mind set to work, “How would I ever get this screaming to stop?” Shawndell was in the other room bathing BIG SIS, and I needed to think, FAST! I began to wonder, “What if I scream LOUDER than them? Will they stop?” So without much effort, this thought quickly manifested and I found myself getting down on the kids level, loudly singing the same pitch they were, only longer and stronger. (Thank you Professor Klob and all of those breathing exercises in Chorale/Testify!)

One by one they began to stop and watch. I have to proudly say the crying stopped after this.
Despite my efforts, I managed to get all but one rascal to stop. As seven pairs of eyes stared at me curiously, I scooped up the remaining crier – and began to clap. The kids quickly joined…all was well in their world again! Giggles replaced the crocodile tears, and several set out on expeditions to retrieve their scattered toys.

I guess sometimes when kids are loud…you’ve just got to be louder!