No matter what language you speak, there are certain things that seem to be understood universally: a smile, head nod, and music. In my opinion, music has magical powers. A song can take you to a different time and place. It can make you feel something deep and unexpected. Regardless of the language in which it’s sung, or if there are no words at all, music can lift you up, or bring you down.
As we grow, music begins to mean something different. For instance, when you become a Christian, worship music becomes a whole body and spiritual experience. And when you become a mother, you realize that some of the music you may listen to may not be all that appropriate and that some music now takes on a whole new meaning.
Suddenly, songs we sang along to absentmindedly, mean something. Now when we sing along with “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Forever Young”, we have all the feels. And then we come across songs like “I Hope You Dance” and “My Little Girl”, and we can’t help but think about our kids, their future, and how we only have them for a little while.
From the time my kids were born, I sang “Yellow” to them as we cuddled before bed. This is a video of my youngest and me singing “Yellow” together about 5 years ago.
I’ve compiled a small song list for parents. There are so many songs out there, but these are just a few that I love.These are songs about being a parent. About raising your kiddos to be the best people they can be. About how short our time together really is, and to cherish every moment.
Some of you are mothers, some step-moms, some grandmothers, some aunts – no matter what your title, if you love a child, these songs will touch you!
“Imaginary Tea” Jon McLaughlin
“I hope You Dance” Lee Ann Womack
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” Guns N’ Roses
Free Song Download!
My daughter, who is a dancer, requested that I record “Dear Daughter” for one of her solo dances. And now, I want to pass this song on to you for FREE! If you want your very own copy of my version of “Dear Daughter”, click HERE to receive it right in your email inbox!
I know this is a short post, but I want you to spend some time just listening to these songs. With Mother’s Day around the corner, let’s celebrate the blessing of motherhood. Love and prayers to you all.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed Luke 1:46-48
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:25-31
spend at home. Once we have that nailed down, we can schedule that time to maximize our productivity.
whole month. Go ahead and make the grocery lists too. 
the sun has finally made an appearance through the break in the clouds. The warmer air and tree buds give us a sense of renewal and we can’t help but feel good. Welcome to Spring.
Like the rebirth of spring, each day is a do-over. We have the opportunity to start anew, or hold on to the pain of yesterday. We can choose to view the day as a gift with a new attitude and outlook, or continue to cling to the negative attitudes we tend to have. You can take two people in the same situation, and they could say two very different things about the situation based solely on their frames of mind.
children when they’re trying our patience. We forget that our job is a blessing. We forget that the long drive to work is an opportunity to be alone with God. One day, when our lives look different, we will wish we could go back. We’ll give almost anything to experience our kids at this age again. We won’t remember the work we do, but we’ll remember the people we worked with fondly, and wish we could talk to them again. Think about this for a moment: One day, years from now, you will miss the very thing you’re complaining about. One day, you will wish you would have lived it happily instead of just existing in it.
If you’re a mother, you’ve been there. In that moment, you’re desperate. You’d do almost anything to quiet that kiddo down. You tried bribing – something you swore you’d never do. You attempted to bargain with God – “Lord, if you magically put this kid to sleep, I swear I’ll do anything you want!” But, no can do. That monster of yours has just reached a high screech that makes dogs whine, and there is no calming them down. You’re this close to pulling your own hair out. You shoot apologetic glances to those around you who have to listen to your screaming child. And then it happens. Mom-Shaming.
ten minutes, and he’s screaming at the top of his lungs because you said he couldn’t have a KitKat bar. She doesn’t know that due to this chain of events, you’ve reached your limit. She also has no idea that you kissed his boo-boo earlier, how he always says “pwease and tank you” thanks to your superb mommying skills, or how you read to him out of a children’s bible every day. It’s in this chaotic moment, with your red face, the vein popping out of your forehead and wild eyes, that this person judged you. I promise it says more about that person than it does you.
ave you these children when you’re doing such a “terrible job” raising them. But then your baby, the very one who seemed possessed in the store, will crawl on your lap and look at you with big eyes and say, “I love you, mommy”. And you’ll feel sorry for that mom-shamer because she only saw the worst instead of what was really there: true, pure, unconditional love.
