Author: nik
Posted: 2009-03-17 12:48:25
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On Saturday, after almost seven straight days of chiseling out ceramic tile, pulling up base boards, and moving most of our worldly possessions to the garage, we got an invite from some good friends to come over and play Rockband.
Me, with three more rooms to paint? Me, with at least four more loads of laundry to do before my washer gets moved out? Me, play???? Ha! You see, play isn't really my thing.
Then, the sound of music—not the movie starring Julie Andrews—but piano notes —wafted in from the other room. I smiled as I realized that by introducing my kids to music, they could now return the favor. They were brightening my spirits in our home.
"Yes, we would love to take a break and come over tonight!"
One way I have found to lighten things up when I'm stressed is to bring in music. And to bring my kids into the musical act as well. Music helps us play.
I started singing to our kids right from the start by choosing a song for each child. For firstborn Connor, we sang "Dream Baby" by Roy Orbison. For Claire,it was "Don't Let's Start", by They Might Be Giants.
Ever since then we have found silly ways to enjoy music together. While brushing their teeth I would sing, "The Lord Is Good To Me" and they would gargle during the "AMEN AMEN AMEN" part. My husband gets involved too—to Claire's delight he brought out the electric guitar and played along as Claire sang "Little Bunny Foo Foo". Everyone joined in and had lots of fun rocking out to this usually mellow kids song.
Connor loves the song "The Alphabet of Nations", and has become more interested in geography because of it. We also sing the different vowel sounds with the song "I like to eat, eat, eat, apples and bananas", a song I learned in second grade.
Claire has even started singing to me "I Love You A Bushel and A Peck", a favorite of mine that my dad used to sing to me, and now sings to my kids.
Do we always agree on the music? Heck no! Our kids have tested how they could control the music—asking me to stop singing (how's that for a compliment?), or asking us to turn down the music, or screeching loud to drown out songs.
In spite of the hurdles, music centers me in a God who "takes great delight in me, quieting me with his love, and rejoicing over me with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
Singing helps me be a better mom and redirects our kids to happier outlooks. And I've stuck with music because I find it's fun—not a "gotta-do-it-to-be-a-good-mom" kind of play. Even a play-challenged mom like me has kept singing and playing, and my kids have picked up on my passion, too.
When the mood gets heavy at your house, try singing.
For me, singing is part of joy. It's part of play. Singing is something we model for our children, no matter how good (or bad) our voices. Through music we can create a home filled with happy noise that strengthens each dweller's soul.
"You turned my wailing into dancing … and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent." —Psalm 30:11-12 |
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