Children's Music

     I seriously question the sanity (and competency, to be honest) of parents who constantly play their kids "Children's Music." You know, songs for kids. Or kids singing songs. Those annoying sets put on this Earth to drive us crazy. Yes there is a time and a place for the "Wheels On the Bus," but it isn't in my car! Seriously, preschool was great. We learned lots of new songs and dances, and that glitter is evil. I loved every minute of it. Really! But there are some things that should not come home with you. Like the Flu, glitter, and the music.

     I was at a gathering once, shortly before Leroy was born. I heard a Mom say the highlight of her day was when she would get the opportunity to drive the car alone, with no kids. Then she could put the radio on the station SHE wanted to listen to, not what she had to play for the kids. When I asked why she didn't do that anyway, I got some crazy looks! I was confused. Was I going to lose my musical choice the moment I gave birth? But I already had step-kids! They didn't require special music. Did they? Did this mean we'd been driving wrong all this time because we put the radio on normal stations? Was singing along with Melanie's Averil Lavigne CD's scarring the boys for life? I was seriously questioning all of my musical choices! And considering giving up good taste for my kids!

     But then I remembered: I used to be a kid. A long time ago, before safety seats and bicycle helmets, but still! I was a kid riding around in a car with my parents. And riding around in the big rig with my Dad. And these vehicles had radios. And never once during my whole childhood did either parent (or any other adult who drove me around, for that matter) ask me what kind of music I wanted to listen to. Not a single adult in my world ever changed the radio station or 8 track (yes I'm that old!) when I got into the car. Not once! So why the hell does my generation cater to our kids this way? I blame Barney. Not because he's guilty, just because I've always hated that purple piece of shit.

     So that settled it. No special music for my kids. They would listen to whatever station I put on the radio and they would like it! My car, my radio, my tunes! Which is why car seats were invented, I think: to keep their grubby little paws off my radio buttons! Leroy was born, the boys and girl all aged, we exposed them to as many different musical styles as we could stand to listen to ourselves. They learned the children's songs at preschool, and all about Guns and Roses from Daddy. Life is good.

     I learned very early in Leroy's life that he is a metal head. I would look into the rear view mirror and see him headbanging before he could talk. Neighbor kids cranking their radios would elicit instant response. The heavier, the better for my little toddler. Yep, he was a rocker! Still is. He keeps his hair long just to see it move when he bangs. But I've actually learned a few things from the little guy. About music, too.

     I've never disliked Green Day, but I was never a huge fan, either. From the day Leroy was born, his world stops if Green Day plays anywhere. Really. American Idiot was released when he was about a year old. The songs we heard on the radio seemed good, so I invested in the CD. As soon as Leroy was old enough to talk, whenever we would get into any car to go anywhere he would say "Green Day!" And, especially if it was just the two of us, I would generally comply. And I learned: I love these guys! So when 21st Century Breakdown came along, guess what I got for Christmas? Oh yeah! And this year I hit the jackpot: Uno, Dos, and Tre! I'm not saying I wouldn't have discovered my Idiot love on my own, eventually. I'm sure I would have. But I am saying that Leroy's love did help me along the way. Would I be the huge fan I am now if we were Kidz Bopping all these years? Well, no. I would be in a padded room somewhere in the fetal position crying.

     Music also paves the way for conversations necessary to raising kids. Conversations about choices, and making good ones. Music is not the only way paver; the news and local events have sparked some good ones, too. But music helps. And it teaches me about simplicity.

     Case in point: a conversation with Leroy while driving the other day.

     "Mom, is Billie Joe (Armstrong, the lead singer of his group. He's on a first name basis with them) OK now?"

     "I've heard he's out of rehab, healthy, and they're starting the tour back up. So yeah, I think he's OK."

     "Were the drugs what made him do all that stuff at that concert?" (See the "I Heart Radio" debacle for details)

     "Probably had a lot to do with it, yeah."

     "So what about Mike? Is he on drugs too?"

     Uhhhh.... moral dilemma here. I can't exactly say someone I've never met is clean, or not, or uhhhh.... what's the right answer here? So I waffle:

     "I don't believe so, why?"

     "Well, when Billie Joe smashed up his guitar, Mike joined in and smashed his too. Why did he smash his?"

     Uhhhhh..... well...... uhhhhh.....When in Rome? No, don't want to get into explaining that saying today, so...... Oh, I know! "Because he's a good friend."

     "That's what I thought."

     Whew! That's what he thought, indeed!

     So rock on, people! My kids and I will be singing along with all the good music. As long as it's not "Wheels On the Bus." I mean, unless the bus has some awesome rims. Then we might talk.