Whilst browsing with Hubby, Princess and Drama Queen for a new family vehicle yesterday afternoon, it occurred to me: most suvs, cars, and minivans are equipped with slammin sound systems. Apparently, next to sunroofs, all-wheel-drive and third row seating, audio is a pretty darn important feature. Seriously. So I got to thinking… look out!
My sound system has been known to save my ass and salvage my sanity on a number of occasions. So much so, that whatever it manages to transmit, is music to this mama’s ears. At times it has buffered me from the onslaught of philosophical discussions to which Hubby is absolutely addicted and which always seem to present themselves on the long ride to Boonief@#kville, Massachusetts to visit the in-laws. Other times it has been my savior, preventing me from absolutely losing it as I speed along the parkway with no possible stop in sight and two screaming babies in tow (no, not to play lullabies – been there, done that- but to drown out the racket! – bad mommy). Then there are those times when I have ventured out alone, pissed or happy as all hell, badly in need of the loudest music a mama can find. Yes, my sound system and I have a wonderful relationship. It gets me.
But exactly how well does the average mama make good use of her sound system? I know some, who shall remain nameless, who use their system in desperate attempts to entertain their children. That’s a shameless waste, in my opinion. Now don’t get me wrong, even this Music Mama has been known to pop in Dan Zanes (if you haven’t heard him you must – he’s phat) or the Wiggles ( I don’t really need to link you to them, do I?) every so often. I have also to fess up to having participated in funky family sing-alongs, anxiously wailing out Old McDonald with hubby and the girls. But COME ON, I cannot, will not, will never, ever (I know that I should never say never, but I feel that strongly about it at the moment) condemn my sound system to a sad existence as a toddler music jukebox. Unless…. unless, of course, we simply educate the tots to love OUR music! Yes, that’s it. HA. I am an evil genius. Music Mama: guilty as charged.
It occurred to me yesterday, that I have, in fact, been inadvertently employing this method since before Princess was born. And it has been successful! I know that now. I have scientific proof! Our Friday trip up to the Westfield Mall in Trumbull was a veritable rock out session as my children were hummin’ and boppin’ to songs like “Killin’ me Softly” and “I can’t get no satisfaction” as they giggled back and forth at the sight of each other’s silly moves! Drama Queen has even begun to demand “SONG, MAMA!” every time a song ends or I change the station or track. She is becoming a regular DJ! Even now as I’m testing my links, she just had to stop what she was doing to investigate! I love their love of music – whatever the genre. And just for the record, they love classical too. What a proud Music Mama am I!
I’ll admit that my techniques are somewhat unconventional. Or maybe not? In any case, I am sure that my methods are nothing more than a product of my upbringing. Here we go. Is it cliché to blame your parents? Who else am I going to blame or credit? After all, one of my fondest music memories is of my brother and me singing along to my dad’s “Bungle In The Jungle” 8-Track waiting for him in his clunky plumbing van one Saturday afternoon. And then there were those many times with my cousins when we were all doing the Hustle to which of the popular Disco songs I can’t remember.
In any case, the making of my madness is certain to have had its roots in my childhood. I have always loved music and I have my parents to thank for that. If they hadn’t exposed me to more than the popular kids’ music in the seventies, - songs like “Puff the Magic Dragon” (not exactly a children’s song to be precise) I’m not sure I could have developed my music talents so well. All modesty aside, of course. As a parent myself, then, I am determined to fill my girls’ lives with every type of music possible. Perhaps, someday, they too will be guilty of being Music Mamas.
