Music for Kids…and for Moms

“And it’s hard to love, there’s so much to hate

Hanging on to hope, when there is no hope to speak of

and the wounded skies above, say its much too late

Well maybe we should all be Praying For Time“

It’s 2 am. My 3 month old son will not stop crying. He has a clean diaper and a full tummy, but he is inconsolable. I stumble out to the kitchen. Fill a glass with ice and water. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I see it…the ‘under-the-counter’ radio and CD player my husband had installed years ago next to the refrigerator. It’s not pretty, but it sure is functional. The same radio that brought us Ray Charles in 2003 B.C. (that’s Before Children) while we made elaborate dinners and accompanied us while we ate by candlelight, was about to save me. I pushed play on the CD player and soon all I heard was George Michael singing “Praying for Time.”  I literally heard George Michael singing because my son had instantly stopped crying. We had found our panacea.

I love music. I feel it in my soul. Well written lyrics move me deeply. For every defining moment of my life, I have a song that goes with it, the soundtrack of my life.  So I’m beyond thrilled that my kids, even as babies, like music too. But I’m not a big fan of most children’s music. Don’t get me wrong…the Dietitian side of me likes the idea of happy vegetables singing, the mom side of me loves the morals that those vegetables are singing about, but the grown up side of me cannot take one.more.silly.song. The feeling is mutual when it comes to my music. I have a deep desire to expose my kids to some of Music’s Greats…so while they appreciate Michael Jackson‘s iconic tunes (and can do a mean rendition of “Man in the Mirror”) they do not feel the same way about Prince (they think he sounds like a girl).

I had to find middle ground…music for kids that moms will like, too.

And now, as a gift to you, I present you with my all time favorite Kids Groove/Moms Approve music albums:

Jack Johnson and Friends. Sing Alongs and Lullabies from the film, Curious George. This folk singer’s voice is soothing to listen to and his tunes are so catchy. You will be singing along in no time.

Ziggy Marley. Family Time. Classic Reggae music at it’s finest. Perfect for an impromptu kitchen dance party.

They Might Be Giants. Here come the 1 2 3’s. The sound behind Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, this album is not only clever musically, but it can also teach math facts to young listeners.

Barenaked Ladies. Snack Time. This one is so good, you might find yourself listening to it in the minivan, even after you have dropped your kids off at school.

Okee Dokee Brothers. Can you Canoe? I was introduced to these local, Grammy-winning guys at a library festival, and now we are regular groupies…showing up to see them at events in the area whenever we can. This is true Minnesota Music.

Behold the “under-the-counter” kitchen radio.  Great for romantic dinners, crying babies and kitchen dance parties.

I wanna know, what’s playing on yours?