Going to feed Nikki at daycare several times during the day has made me quite familiar to the babies in her class. I’ve learned during the time she’s been there, that babies from about 8 months on love me. Any earlier than 8 months and I’m terrifying. I think it’s the hair. It scares me too. But once they’re old enough to enjoy being talked to? Babies tend to like me. I’ve decided it’s the accent.
When I talk to the kids in Nikki’s class? My southern accent becomes incredibly pronounced. Kinda like when I check out at Wal-Mart. It’s not something I really have control over, it just happens. The kids seem to really respond to the exaggerated syllables and token drawl associated with the southern accent. Several of them can be crying but if I start talking to them, “What’s wrong baby-doll?” (Pronounced: “Wut’s wrawwwwwng baaabeeee dawlllll?”) they will tend to calm down and even flock to me. I also give them all goofy nicknames which I use repeatedly.
It’s really humiliating, when I think too much about it. The speech patterns I use when talking to kids in Nikki’s class would not win me any oration awards, that’s for damn sure. I have a feeling that most hearing me speak to the kids might even doubt my level of education as I tend to throw grammar to the wind and adopt such fake phrases as “fussy britches” and “tickle tootsies.”
Let’s just hope I don’t slip into that daycare persona when I’m trying to pitch an idea to the boss. I’m thinking he wouldn’t appreciate the value of a zerbert monster attack in the boardroom.
You’re not alone on this one.
My accent gets big time “well shut my mouth and give me some sweet tea” southern when I talk to babies but also to old people. (which I’m so SURE isn’t offensive at all!).
Somewhat acceptable down here in Georgia.
Not as cool my 7 years in Chicago.
Oh dear Lord. I just mixed your boardroom comment, and the name I give most babies and nearly had a heart attack. I Soooooo don’t think that the president of my division wants to be my squishy tushy. Or maybe he does. But both scare me.
What is with that? I was just going to post on that same thing. Most of the time no one would knowl I was from the South, but then I get with my girlfriends and I sound like I should be on Hee-Haw. Whatever, I like it better than some Northern accents I’ve heard.
I know I spelled know wrong. It’s late.
My Southern accent really comes out when I drink, too. Uh, not that you’re throwin’ back a few beers and then going to daycare, though.
(Or making presentations to the boss.)
I miss the southern accents since we have been living in the north so long. The hubs says mine comes out when I talk to my friends in the south - I just love it! Come on, there is nothing sexier than a “y’all” here and there..:)
I so wish this was a blog where you read your posts aloud. Like an audio book, only an audio blog. Do they make such a thing? You could be the first on your block. I got a call from my girlfriend in Little Rock today and it was great to hear that accent. West Coast accents are not that neat.
I must admit, my proudest family moment was on the morning of our last day of family vacation at Hilton Head, everyone scrambling around to get packed and my sister in law from Pennsylvania going absolutely nuts, her daughter stopped her dead in her tracks with “Aunt Amy, will you fiiiix me some greeeuts?”
Oh, instant ham and red-eye gravy flavor, shredded cheddar, a little extra butter and hammer down on the pepper.
Can you blame her?