Tag Archives: parenting

Lucky List of Lullabies

So many lullabies have been sung over the course of my kiddo’s 2 1/2 years earth-side that a running repertoire has naturally come together. A coalescence of songs that have struck a chord, stood the test of time, or simply struck our fancy. Songs to choose from in lullaby land. I change up the order, but bedtime always includes a few songs from this list.

Nap time

Some are songs my mom used to soothe me back to sleep after a bad dream in the middle of the night or wee hours of the morning. Others come from movies, musicals, or songs I liked as a kid. (I remember jumping on my bed to Yellow Submarine). And there are a few from the Elizabeth Mitchell Pandora station, (recommended to me by some wonderful ladies from my local mom’s Facebook group).

Do you have certain go-to lullabies? Are any of these on your list too?

  1. Hush Little Baby – Lullaby my mom used to sing to me
  2. Froggy Went a Courtin’ – Elizabeth Mitchell
  3. Little Bird – Elizabeth Mitchell
  4. My Neighbor Totoro – opening and closing songs
  5. Kiki’s Delivery Service – opening and closing songs
  6. Yellow Submarine – The Beatles
  7. Hey Jude – The Beatles
  8. Just a Spoonful of Sugar – Mary Poppins
  9. Chim Chim Cher-ee – Mary Poppins
  10. Everybody Wants To Be a Cat – The Aristocats
  11. Robbin Hood and Little John – Disney’s Robbin Hood
  12. The Bare Necessities – The Jungle Book
  13. I’m Just a Little Black Raincloud – Winnie The Pooh

Must Break

Even though there may be an ever-pressing list of things to do, like all that comes with running an Etsy shop, I’ve learned the hard way how it is imperative to take time to recharge when the opportunity arises.

It may not be often, but it’s necessary. It’s true what they say about a happy woman making a happy home. We are the heart and hearth of our families. If we’re not in a good state, our families aren’t. I have to take the time alone to recharge and center myself. It’s a good thing for all.

Besides, they can always call for me at any point. So I try to enjoy it. However long, (or short), it may be. So I try not to feel guilty or selfish for having the need and taking the time to do what I need to to be whole. Time alone with music and art, reading or writing, making something, putting something together. Weaving thoughts and ideas together, turning them over in my mind. Processing.

Before my break today I was in a charged fog of frustrating anxiety, worrying about money.

Russ got home, I ducked into the bathroom, put my headphones on and worked on this blog post. Alone. For a moment, no demands. Space to think and feel. Recharge.

Being a mom has taught me just how important time alone to recharge is for me. Ever the introvert.

introvert paradise

I stepped out into the backyard to find a sunset picnic dinner made by my guys. Afterwards, Fox wanted to look through the pantry, asking what everything was and where it came from.

With my short, pre-break, fuze I may not have had the patience to talk about each item with him. I would have missed his showing me how much we do have. Thanks for teaching me, little Fox.

Recharging makes me grateful to Russ for taking the lead while I tap out for a spell. Once I’m recharged I’m able to see him with clearer eyes. Apart from all the things on his honey-do list or the veil of my own anxieties. Instead, there are the sweet things I sometimes overhear when the two of them are playing in the other room. Makes my heart smile.

So no guilt. I still keep having to tell myself that. Do you?