Mr. Christensen of Ridgefield, Washington is proud to say that he is perfectly normal, thank you very much.
Now his kids might disagree, in fact they might think their dad is quite strange. Sometimes he dances around the house with moves that make them cry, and not the good kind. Other times he sings loud and boisterous songs he makes up off the top of his head about whatever his kids were up to that day. Most of his songs make no sense, but sense isn’t to be expected in a dad who cheers embarrassingly loudly at soccer games, uses 90’s slang to be cool, and doesn’t understand the intricacies of emoji communication.
But there is one silly thing this dad does that seems to have paid off in some oddly fulfilling, emotionally satisfying, non-financially profitable inspiring way.
He reads to his kids in different character voices.
It’s unclear when the phenomenon started- but by the time these kids were old enough to handle the magical world of Harry Potter, reading in a boring dad voice simply did not suffice. This simple muggle father seems to have tapped into some kind of wizard power procuring his vocal Patronus, repelling the gawky nasal of his natural tone, and replacing it with all sorts of variations, pitches, and accents sure to offend many cultures of different lands.
As for these kids, they didn’t necessarily want it. They certainly didn’t ask for it. But the dad wand chose the kid wiz, and they’re stuck with him whether they like it or not (but they seem to like it!)
Having just wrapped up the Order of the Phoenix (the longest and most difficult read of the series) last night with the boys, they are anxious to find out what happens next (although it’s possible they already know, as the book is nearly 20 years old and someone in the extended family may have spoiled poor Dumbledore’s death).
It’s worth noting, this dad has grown up with these books as they were released, attended every midnight showing of every movie as it was released, and has listened to the Jim Dale audiobook versions more times than perhaps he is willing to admit. Is it possible that some of the voices imitate versions of on-screen actors or audiobook characters? Yes. Is it possible that those voices occasionally change throughout the story because he forgets what someone is supposed to sound like? Absolutely. Do these kids make sure to call him out on it when he gets a voice wrong? All the time.
But the fact that they do, means they’re not only paying attention to the story, but the characters and the narration, as well as how and what is being said. They’re engaged, attentive, and content.
It’s a time of bonding, creativity, wonder, excitement, and happiness. This dad LOVES reading to his kids.
Yes dad does silly voices, but he always has, and this odd little quirk has actually become quite useful. That’s not to say it’s easy, it’s actually quite challenging. Switching in and out of characters can really strain the brain, but it’s slowly become 2nd nature. Now if only someone would pay him to do it.
Often we’ll be sitting around and these kids will request a voice. “Dad, do Hagrid!” or “Dad, do McGonagall!” (those are some of the more fun ones to do). It’s always a blast.
More importantly, there’s only one first time with everything, and more than anything this dad feels honored to be able to share these stories for the first time with his children. He looks forward to reading to them as often as possible, and the wizarding world of Harry Potter continues to bring magic into the life of this family.
Read to your kids. Do the voices. Be a goofy dad.
Life just doesn’t get any better than that.
Mikey He Writes It 