(Note: this post was started several long/short months ago. So when I wrote words like “recently,” they were true at the time, but now I’m just lying.)
My friend, who is a new mom, introduced me to this podcast called The Longest Shortest Time, about early parenthood. I have started listening to it at night while getting ready for bed in my bathroom and pumping boobjuice at the same time. #momboss
This podcast is extremely validating and makes me feel less alone in my isolated SAHM daily life.
I recently listened to podcast #25, which started out with several moms singing songs they had made up for their kids. The narrator (creator? producer?) framed the segment by saying that the songs we make up often reflect big themes in our parenting journey.
Now, I make up songs for my kids a lot. Like, a lot-a lot. The one we still use the most often (while cleaning up after meals) is Crotchfood. Behold:
Crotch food, crotch food, food that’s in your crotch.
Crotch food, crotch food, foooooooood…that’s in your crotch!
It’s a real crowd pleaser.
The podcast reminded me of this one tuneless ditty that I made up when my oldest, my son, was very tiny. I needed something to hold his attention during diaper changes when he’d be thrashing and I’d be weeping. I’m having trouble remembering all the verses but it went something like this:
Even when you cry
I’m gonna love you an-ny way, an-ny way, an-ny way.
Even when you poop
I’m gonna love you an-ny way, an-ny way, an-ny way.
(insert more verses as needed)
…Because I am your mom.
I was having a rough time bonding with my son and coming to terms with being a new mom, staying at home, living in Oregon, and feeling isolated and depressed. Reading these lyrics back, I realize I was reminding myself why I became a mom. I was willing myself to fall more in love with my little guy, especially when it felt the hardest. We were both struggling, but it was my job to get him (and myself) through it all…so I used the simplest, most available tool I had. Song. And it turned out to be very powerful indeed.
NaBloPoMo Day 6
Psychobabble 