Sing-a-Ling
I am a Mama. I am not a Mother and am definitely not a Mommy. I will keep you fed and clothed and possibly supervised (sort of. GET YOUR FINGERS OUT OF THE BLENDER!) , but that is where my madd parenting skillz end. Because of the lack of Mommyness in my DNA I often find myself wondering what in the name of Christdom I am supposed to do with these miniature people that live in my house.
Because I am a slow learner, I have discovered singing as a means to calm my children down. Like two years late, but whatevs I am getting there. Unfortunately I am unable to remember many child-friendly-sleepy-time-songs. And now the toddler? Points to the rocking chair and demands that there will be! Singing! and it will be terrible! and possibly dirge-like!
So far I tell her the I Love You Forever story and sing the verse, lots of old hymns and some made up songs that feature a curious number of little girls named Goldie and why did she not obey her mama when she asked her to not wear dirty underwear on her head? Also, I taught her Jesus Loves Me which is the hands down favorite. I ask her what we should sing and invariably the answer is "JESUS! JESUS!." The worst part is that she demands that we sing it with our eyes closed like we are praying (which, side note, I haven't taught her to pray yet. Is on list of Things to Teach Children) and while I am singing through the song she chants quietly "this I know, this I know" and it is starting to get weird. It sort of feels like a toddler revival meetin'.
Internets, I need your help. What are some good bedtime songs? I asked my mother and she can only remember singing Old Man River to me as a baby which really was the final piece of the puzzle explaining a few personality glitches, but no help whatsoever on the There Must Be Another Song Besides Jesus Loves Me campaign trail.
Help.
Because I am a slow learner, I have discovered singing as a means to calm my children down. Like two years late, but whatevs I am getting there. Unfortunately I am unable to remember many child-friendly-sleepy-time-songs. And now the toddler? Points to the rocking chair and demands that there will be! Singing! and it will be terrible! and possibly dirge-like!
So far I tell her the I Love You Forever story and sing the verse, lots of old hymns and some made up songs that feature a curious number of little girls named Goldie and why did she not obey her mama when she asked her to not wear dirty underwear on her head? Also, I taught her Jesus Loves Me which is the hands down favorite. I ask her what we should sing and invariably the answer is "JESUS! JESUS!." The worst part is that she demands that we sing it with our eyes closed like we are praying (which, side note, I haven't taught her to pray yet. Is on list of Things to Teach Children) and while I am singing through the song she chants quietly "this I know, this I know" and it is starting to get weird. It sort of feels like a toddler revival meetin'.
Internets, I need your help. What are some good bedtime songs? I asked my mother and she can only remember singing Old Man River to me as a baby which really was the final piece of the puzzle explaining a few personality glitches, but no help whatsoever on the There Must Be Another Song Besides Jesus Loves Me campaign trail.
Help.
posted by Kirsten at
9:12 PM
16 Comments:
My mum ued to sing Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/8038/1christo.htm
I didn't know many songs when my daughter was a baby and I ended up singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow a lot. I'm not even totally sure I have the words right but I just roll with it.
I sang the Dixie Chicks version of Landslide to 3 of 3 boy. He LOVED it. With 1 of 3 I sang lullaby and good night and um, twinkle twinkle.
Thinking about 2 of 3 and I think remember Hush Little Baby, don't say a word and, I made up my own melody for the night night prayer, you know, "now I lay me down to sleep.." etc... hope that helps :)
Good Night by the Beatles--off of the White Album
There are a couple of songs from Laurie Berkener's Victor Vito album (White Coral Bells and Moon, Moon, Moon) that I sing - the lyrics are very easy.
My husband's trademark song is "Good night, ladies. Good night, ladies. Good night, ladies. I'm going to leave you now."
http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/h012.html
I love Hush Little Baby, but always end up making up the words. ;-)
Zoe always seemed to like "you are my sunshine".
No kids (yet), but "Moon River" is one a my favorites. It's sweet and melancholy and always brings a little tear to my eye.
"Blackbird" by The Beatles has a good slow, sweet melody perfect for a lullaby.
I so can't help you because my mother never sang to me and because I sing songs from Jack's Big Music Show to my toddler. But I had to tell you that once again you made me laugh until I cried and today? totally needed that.
Twinkle, Twinkle
Rock a bye baby
If I think of any other's I'll be back.
Jenn
I sing Elvis Costello songs. "everyday I write the book" is a favorite. For the non-rocknroll songs I do the standards, Rock-a-bye baby, baa baa black sheep, you are my sunshine etc.
We sing "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" a lot and change Bonnie to Clara. Also, Clara seems to like "The Carpenters." Or maybe I just like to sing Carpenter songs... Scott sings U2 songs to her. Jack Johnson songs from the Curious George soundtrack are good, too.
This is a great list - helpful to people who may be mamas themselves one day!
Hey Kirsten!
I like to sing the song from the movie Dumbo..."Baby Mine"
I've also sung "Dream a Little Dream" and "Goodnight Sweetheart".
Miss ya!
-Mel
I first have to say to Melody - wow, you're my hero because I bawl just thinking about the song "Baby Mine" (sobbing now, actually).
I had to go through a time with "Baby Beluga" (not too horrible), but I try to jump in with any Beatles ("Norwegian Wood" is easy and soft, even though the words are kinda weird, frankly) and (no laughing) Gershwin - "They Can't Take That Away" always calmed my boy when he was a baby.
Best of luck!
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