Rock A Bye Baby

I used to think that everyone sang to their babies/toddlers, etc. I thought lullabies were just a normal part of life with little kids. But, it sometimes seems that singing lullabies to babies is becoming an endangered activity.

 It is a wonderful and.... HARD thing to do sometimes...  Bedtime around here can often be stressful, rushed, weepy or just completely helter-skelter. Should I really take the time and sing to my kids, especially if those kid have been somewhat trying all day and mommy and daddy, actually, can't WAIT to put the little blessings to sleep?! Plus, with toddlers - there's all the bathing, teeth-brushing, water-drinking, 'please mommy, just one more snack' -ing, "stop running around the house" -ing...

So, is there time to sing a lullaby?

Yes! Every night? Maybe not (or maybe! depends on you & your kiddo...). But, do we have energy and time for a few lullabies a week? Sure!

Lullabies have been around for thousands of years - it is such a natural impulse to relax baby by singing. The warm, comforting sound of a parent's voice while baby is held in a loving embrace... it's just priceless! This bonding time is so important for the baby to feel that mom or dad really love them enough to take a few minutes to calm them into sleepiness through song.

This practice is best started when your child is a baby. This is because they naturally are drawn to the sound of your voice and love to hear your voice in singing or chanting. Once they get used to this unique pleasure, they will still enjoy lullabies as toddlers because of the wonderful, comforting memory that was built into them throughout their baby-hood.

Can you still "start" with a toddler? Sure! They may not sit still in your arms for a while... it might be a little difficult at first for you both, perhaps. Or, they may love it right away. But, it is worth a try. My 4 year old still asks for a lullaby once in a while... And I sometimes I have to force myself to say yes because I know how much it means to him... even if mommy can't wait to close his door and go relax!

Here are a few well-known lullabies for you to consider, or go buy a lullaby CD... it's OK to just play that for your child, but it's so much BETTER if they can hear YOU singing it to them. :-)
You can collect a few of your favorites on itunes and listen to them a few times until you've got it by memory!


Brahms Lullaby  for melody (sung by Chloe Agnew, with slightly different words) go here
(this one is originally in German, but this is an English version. If you'd like, look up the German one too - singing to baby is a great way to practice your multi-lingual singing! Baby doesn't care so much about your less-than-perfect pronunciations.) 
Lullaby and goodnight
with roses bedight,
with lilies o'er spread
is baby's wee bed. 
Lay thee down now and rest, 
May thy slumber be blest. 
Lay thee down now and rest, 
May thy slumber be blest. 


Lullaby and good night, 
They mother's delight, 
Bri-ght angels be-side 
My darling abide. 
They will guard thee at rest,
thou shalt wake on my breast. 
They will guard thee at rest, 
thou shalt wake on my breast. 


All The Pretty Little Horses for melody (from the album entitled "Baby Mine" go  here


Hush-you-bye, don't you cry, 
Go to sleepy little baby.
When you wake, you shall have
all the pretty little horses. 
Blacks and Bays, Dapples and Greys,
Coach and six-a-little horses. 
Blacks and Bays, Dapples and Greys,
Coach and six-a-little horses. 


All Through The Night  for melody (sung by Amy Robbins-Wilson) go here


Sleep my child and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night

Angels watching, e'er around thee,
All through the night
Midnight slumber close surround thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night. 


So, set aside a few minutes and sing to your little precious kiddo tonight. :-) 


What are your favorite lullabies that were sung to you or that you sing to your little ones?