Doesn?t motherhood just make you want to burst into song all the time? That?s how it makes me feel. Unfortunately, the song is usually ?I Wanna Be Sedated? by the Ramones.
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Chances are your experience of parenting isn?t all that much like a Broadway musical, either (and if I am wrong about this, please keep it to yourself). But whether we realize it or not, almost every mom uses music to help get through the day?whether it?s the ?clean up? song with preschoolers, listening to our own favorites on an iPod while running or doing the dishes, or singing babies to sleep at night. Music makes motherhood easier, not to mention more entertaining.
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No one knows this better than Ellie, The Mommy Master. Ellie?s just released a CD of children?s music called ?Music is Magical.? Inspired by the fun she and her three young sons have making music together, Ellie has created songs that kids love (and learn from) and that parents like to listen to as well. Of the origins of her CD, Ellie says, ?I always studied the piano and loved music growing up. I was very involved with theatre, took acting classes and was always performing. I found music to be a great way to express myself. When I had kids, I put my love of writing and my love of music together and my CD was born.? Ellie?s songs are fun, but many of them also deal with things kids find challenging, like the first day of school and potty training, in a way that makes those challenges easier to face.
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Ellie joined us in The Motherhood today to talk about sharing music and special moments with our kids. Also on board were Hanan of Lilac City Momma, Eileen of A Suburban State of Mom, Lolo of Crazy About My Baybah, Marcie of Suburban Mama, and Elizabeth of Vocke Ventures ? A Living Experiment.
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These moms know how to use music to everyone?s advantage. Elizabeth says, ?I use music to help my daughter (who is 4) remember important things. I made up a song to teach her to spell her name when she was very young, and recently used a song to teach her our phone number, in case she ever needs it. She picked it up in three or four tries.? Eileen uses music to entertain her boys, but also to help them focus: ?There have also been so many studies about how music helps brain function. I play relaxing kinda music during homework time and I swear it helps my older one relax and focus.? Marcie uses music to help her kids manage time: ?A lot of times I measure tasks and time in song ? like how long will it take me to do this? Oh, that?s 2 songs long? How far is the place we are going, the kids ask? Oh, that?s 3 songs long.?
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Given how great music can be for kids, Hanan wondered, ?What age is a good time to teach your child to play an instrument?? Ellie responded, ?If they show an interest, I don?t think there is a minimum age. For example, banging in the drums or making music with pots and pans is educational for the real young ones. My oldest took piano lessons when he was 4.? Lolo adds, ?My son loves to play his harmonica, it is so cute! He is three.? Obviously, music doesn?t have to be an all-or-nothing commitment; kids can ease into it. After all, it?s supposed to be enjoyable.
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Speaking of which, most of us listen to ?regular? music with our kids, because the kids do enjoy it and because, let?s face it, Barney songs make moms want to claw their own eardrums out by the third line.? That?s why Ellie tried to be mindful of the needs of kids and the tastes of parents when creating her CD: ?I created my CD with current rhythms and beats, similar to top 20 hits, so children would keep interest. Children?s songs don?t have to be baby songs. I have a rap song, techno, reggae and country among others.?
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If you have little ones, catch a sample of Music is Magical here (there?s also info on buying the CD). The kids will love it, and you?ll enjoy sharing it with them while they?re little. After all, there will be plenty of time to introduce them to the Ramones when they?re (much) older.
July 26, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Source: http://www.themotherhood.com/blog/music-is-magical-tackling-important-family-topics-through-song/
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