Yesterday I went on my son's grade 2 field trip, to where it didn't really matter. He was thrilled I was on the bus with him. I became a celebrity as soon as arrived at the school. Boarding the bus with other Mom-unteers, we agreed to sing songs as we drove the 35-odd minutes to our destination. That was when I passed the "cool mom" torch.
Mrs. S (another mom on the bus) lead the group of kids in rousing renditions of "The Wheels on the Bus", "There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea" and even "QuarterMaster's Store". She received many giggles and loads of eager participation. When I was asked to lend a song, I drew a massive blank!
I saw the confused and lost look on my child's face and was awash with regret. I had failed him. I was a bad mommy and his face was clear, undeniable proof.
When our children were born, DH and I decided they would not be raised on a steady diet of Raffi-High School Musical-Dora&Diego music. If we were going to have to listen ad nauseum to songs in the car, it would be "good" music. To this day, I'd rather get caught humming a Garth Brooks song over "Must Be Santa". It was a great plan, a great thing indeed. Until that fateful bus trip when it all fell apart.
All that I could think of to sing were songs not really ok for other peoples 8 year olds. My son didn't really know the words to QuarterMaster's Store, but he can sing the heck out of Bad Reputation by Joan Jett. In pre-school he knew all the words to The Night That Patty Murphy Died, and some weird part of me was proud. We sang it loudly in the car and I sang " Thunder Road" as a lullaby at night.
Now, my 3 year old demands Joan Jett and Dr. Dre in the car and I oblige. They get excited to hear "Waking Up in Vegas" and " Royals" by Lorde. I wonder if somehow I have stolen something from them.
Not to know Baby Beluga or Greasy Grimey Gopher Guts is a crime when you are a child. Those songs are part of the silly, sweet innocence of youth and my kids are missing it.
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Too late I tried offerings of silly songs like I think I'm a Bunny, Super Hero, even Island sounds like Father Goose (Reminisce). They were unimpressed, hopefully, your kids are more responsive.
