Voice Training Tips for Speaking to Kids for Mom

In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m going to share some expert voice tips that will give moms more of what they deserve—attention and appreciation!

Moms, you deserve more than just one day of celebration. We should appreciate you every day! With these three expert vocal tips, you can use your voice to get more of the attention and appreciation you deserve, 365 days of the year.

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Hi, I’m Roger Love, celebrity voice coach, top-selling author, and founder of The Voice of Success Live. I’m working on how to speak well in this digital age and make the world a better place, one speaking voice at a time, starting with yours.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m going to share some expert voice tips that will give moms more of what they deserve—attention and appreciation! As a parent myself, I know how hard it is to keep our kid’s attention when technology, TV, social media, and video games are such shiny, distracting alternatives.

Moms, here are three ways you can boost your children’s attention span when you’re speaking.

First, watch your tone! I can’t tell you how many times my mom said that to me as a kid. But the way I’m saying it now is with a totally different intention: to squeeze out the airy, soft tone many women use. Let me give you an example [demonstrates soft, airy voice].

When you speak this way, the world around you (especially your kids!) hears weakness and frailty. Before you know it, they hear you speaking in that tone and say, “Ah, she doesn’t mean that” or “Ah, I’m not afraid of her.” My mom—ALL moms, as far as I’m concerned—are full of wisdom and the best intentions for their kids. So let’s give you a voice that garners the respect and attention you deserve!

Instead of being Airy Fairy, be all about that bass. Not Meghan Trainor bass, I mean, bass-y tones, those rich, deep, full tones that come from a strong Chest Voice. Let me demonstrate [demonstrates].

See how that compares to [demonstrating airy] this Marilyn voice? Adding more bass to your voice gives your kids the impression that you’re solid, serious, and strong.

Second, work the volume. In my experience, we’ve become a nation of whisperers. But if you want your kids to take your advice or instructions more seriously, raising the volume can be the authoritative boost you’re looking for, not to mention a minimum requirement to being heard over their iPod.

Third, make a melody. Want to know why we remember song lyrics from our childhood daycare days better than what we were told to buy at the grocery store this morning? Melody! The combination of notes sticks in our memories and makes listening more pleasurable. If you want to appear more fun, interesting, and entertaining, add more melody to your conversations with your kids!

Here’s an example to paint this more clearly: [demonstrating monotone] Today was so busy. I had three meetings, picked your brother up from school, and still managed to plan our upcoming vacation. [demonstrating melody] Today was so busy. I had three meetings, picked your brother up from school, and still managed to plan our upcoming vacation.

Although I used the exact same words each time, I probably sounded much more interesting the second time. That level of interest is often the spice we need to keep our listener—whether they’re 16 or 60—attentive.

The way I see it, mothers add so much value to the world. You deserve more than just one day of celebration. We should appreciate you every day! And now with these three expert vocal tips, you can use your voice to get more of the attention and appreciation you deserve.

Thank you, moms, for all that you do! And happy Mother’s day! Watch “Encore!” now on Disney+