So after 2.5 years of mostly avoiding The Wiggles or Doodlebops music all day, in the car etc. we may have to rethink our approach.
My son has always loved a good beat to music. While this does include kid music (we sing Wheels on the Bus a lot!), he tends to lean in favour of current hits. In fact, some of his favourites tunes to dance to include songs by Flo Rida, Kanya West and now Lady GaGa. I know, I know, not stellar lyrics, but the beat was fun, I listen to that music and he was too little to get the words.
But now, he is able to sing songs. And while I really enjoyed his appreciation for current hit songs when it was just him and I at home all day (and we could do some pretty cool dance parties) I am now growing concerned about the lyrics, his repeating them (even if he doesn’t understand them) and eventually his asking what they mean (um, Lady GaGa and her disco stick could be an issue).
But I hate the thought of having to censor music! Sure, we could listen to The Beatles all day (but I know there’s connotations in their stuff to) or flip over to kids songs (Satellite radio does have a Disney channel of songs that we do listen to.) It’s not that I have anything against kids music, it’s just I can only take so much of it in the house or car. Over. And Over.
For now, we are limiting songs that have obvious swearing, or at least playing the radio edits (a challenge with the satellite radio since it doesn’t always censor). But I won’t lie, I like singing and dancing to the Hits with him and his excitement when Poker Face comes on is hilarious. But I don’t want him repeating some lyrics on the nursery school playground.
What do you do? Are you all kids music? Family friendly music? Or do you just let the beat take you wherever and enjoy music in a light hearted way?
I may be getting a call when he sings Kanye West’s “Stronger” on the playground in the fall 😉
I should also note that I am REALLY particular about censoring TV shows, cartoons that may have too much violence and even kids movies. So why am I so soft on music?
