Guava Jelly...Leave Me Alone...Don't Cha!

I would love scientists to do a study on why of all the lyrics of songs children hear on the radio, they pick up the one with the most questionable words and then learn it by heart. I can think of several occasions when I have shuddered to hear bright-eyed innocent children singing melodiously with some of the ugliest songs imaginable.

So imagine my shock when my two got a game recently with this song “Don’t Cha” embedded on it? For all who are unacquainted with same, the hook of this song says “Don’t wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don’t you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me…Don’t ya?” WHAT? What are my babies singing? I was beside myself not knowing how to react! Do I forbid the singing of the song? Do I stop them playing the game? Do I ignore all of it knowing they will soon grow out of it? The questions ran through my head at warp speed.

Then it struck me, OVEREACTION!! My Godmother has stories that she recently reprised without urging, featuring me at about their age singing a song all day, everyday called “Guava Jelly.” Talk about suggestive, the lyrics which I still remember, go like this, “Ooh baby here I am, come rub it on my belly like Guava Jelly….” Eeek!! My mother had the foresight to let my obsession with that song peter out on its own so likewise I guess I have to patiently wait for this to pass, no matter how hard it may seem.

After all, I remember years ago after leaving the hospital from a particularly distressing visit with a very significant person in my niece’s life. The mood in the car was very somber. Between my between my sister, myself and the baby, everyone was contemplative, lost in thought if you will. Then Micheal Jackson’s song, "Leave Me Alone" came wafting off the radio into the car and from the two year old in the car seat on the backseat we heard…

”Neave me anone oh, oh, oh just stop dogging me around!!”

The mood in the car lifted immediately, laughter filled the air as we marveled at the baby’s ability to repeat a song like that from recall. We were really grateful for the comic relief.

Therefore I guess children singing the most inappropriate stuff, has been around since forever and it’s not a reflection on parenting skills. Sure now there is such a broad spectrum of offerings where channels are concerned that wholesome lyrics really need not be an issue. If one predetermines listening tastes, the problem need not occur. But I ask you, where’s the fun and opportunity to laugh in that? Selah.