Too Much Yakking at Your House??

Do your kids keep the noise level in your house on LOUD most of the time?  Do the basic cues like, “Inside voice please” or “Lower your volume”, or even a loud “SHHH-H-H-H!” just seem not to work?  Do you ever find family members RAISING their voices to be heard over the other ones – and nobody seems aware at how LOUD their volume really is?  Welcome to my world – and if my world sounds at all like YOUR world, you may like to hear that I have a solution for you…meet the Yacker Tracker.

The Yacker Tracker is an adjustable, sound-activated noise monitor.  We have ours prominently displayed on the counter nearest the kitchen table.  It is quite the topic of conversation when friends come over.  But I must say, everyone who has seen ours in action says they need to run out and get one for their family. 

It gets turned on as we sit down for dinner (end of the day – our problem time).  If voices get too loud, it flashes yellow for a warning.  We get that a lot in our house.  If it goes all the way up to red, you get the optional siren sound along with the flashing lights (very effective).  So kids (and husbands – ahem) get a visual and audio reminder when the noise level gets too high.  And, it is coming from a source other than you!

After a lot of debate, we decided that every night we as a group stayed away from the red light, we would put a sum of money in a jar.   At the end of the week, we would collect the money from the jar and go treat ourselves somewhere (the kids came up with that part).  I was just trying to make it a POSITIVE reinforcement – reward for doing good (staying off the red light setting – meaning we were using lower voice volumes). 

Confession time:  I have yet to really put money in this mythical jar.  The kids think money is going in each night, but I haven’t actually set aside a jar, and I’m not sure how much money is the right amount ($1 per night?  25 cents per person?) My bad! - as they say.  I should have worked out the details first.  But I will tell you that only 1 night since we’ve been supposedly keeping track has the red light and siren gone off.  That is huge progress.  The noise is slowly lessening and what is even better is that this Zen Mama Wannabe is no longer the bad guy – the one repeatedly telling them to quiet down (and never seeing hearing any results).  It is rather brilliant, don’t you think?!  Can I get one for every room of the house??

Side note:  I did a bit of research online and found a range of prices for these devices up to $100.  Then I came across a website called Education 4 Kids where they were only $48.   That is where I ordered ours from – and I was completely happy with the transaction.   I am in no way affiliated with the company and am receiving nothing from them for endorsing this product.  I am just one happy customer pleased with the help the Yacker Tracker is providing my family (and anything that helps me keep my sanity is a good thing!)

Comments

[LarkLady]

Oh, don't I wish I had had one of these ten or fifteen years ago!! Thank goodness we're pretty much beyond this -- actually, it's often the opposite: getting some conversation going at the dinner table can be difficult with teenagers.

Mom: What was the best thing that happened for you today? (Please note the open-ended question -- no "yes" or "no" types here!)

Teenager 1: (Shrug)
Teenager 2: Nothing.
Mom: (Sigh)

But I do remember those days where the noise level was often deafening. I'm glad someone came up with a device to help with that whole scenario.

As for your so-far mythical jar, a mayonnaise jar or an old coffee can should work... let the kids decorate it as an afternoon project, if you want to.

Family of four -- $1 a day seems a reasonable price to pay for an evening of manageable sound levels. You might also find out how much it costs for several local treats -- bowling, for instance, or renting a family-oriented video -- so you don't fall into the trap of heading for the local ice cream parlor every time ;-) Or save up and buy a new board game that you all can play... or a jigsaw puzzle you can all work on...

[Zen Mama Wannabe]

Ah, LarkLady - life with teenagers...I can't wait! :)

I am gonna get that jar made this week (maybe even tomorrow) - and I know my "helpers" will want to decorate it. Might as well involve them as much as possible.

As for your suggestions on the "treats" - thanks so much. Those were good ideas and they got me thinking outside the box (or the ice cream store I should say).

[callieandbatido]

There is something for everything out there! What a great idea. I have two loud talkers at my house and three if you count me trying to be heard over my loud talkers. I remember when I was growing up that I was always told to "shhhhh" (I don't think the term "inside voices" was used back then :) I am off to buy one.

[Sheri]

Now that is a neat idea. My youngest son will still chatter alot, but that doesn't bother me. It's the "chatter" ie bickering between he and his older brother that get really loud and annoying.

[Karen]

I wish I had one of these when I was teaching 5th grade. I discovered one while I was subbing in a 4th grade classroom a few years later. It was fabulous. It helped me keep the students under control and helped me keep my volume down. Anyone who knows me knows I could lower the volume of my voice.

[Zen Mama Wannabe]

Apparently they had one of these in one of the classrooms at my son's elementary school. Of course I never heard about it until AFTER I found mine (guess it never occurred to him it would be a cool thing to have at our house too).

Yes, if only they had one for bickering - talk about one hot product! I know I'd be vying for the first spot in line!

[FantasySportsWidow]

This could very well be the greatest invention ever created. Did they make this knowing my family? I can't wait to get this - i wonder who will set it off first the kids or my husband! :)

[Zen Mama Wannabe]

Yeah - it's nearly 50-50 in our house. Like I said, it's good for EVERYONE'S voice volume!! :)