In Which I Consider Disowning Her
I've given up. I've relinquished control. I've stopped fighting it.
My kid likes lame music.
While I would prefer that she immerse herself in the superiority that is modern rock, she is a pop girl. All. the. way. The mere thought of her grooving to the latest manufactured pop machine makes my skin crawl, but I've decided to embrace the horror and roll with it. As a bonus, I don't have to worry as much about the language that might spew from my car speakers. I still have to worry because some artists SUCK (I'm talking to you, Black-Eyed Peas), but overall, the word choices are a bit safer.
As we bumped and bounced down a gravel road on our way home tonight, I had a pop radio station playing in the background. Alexis sang along to a Taylor Swift song (which, I'm sorry, but PUKE), and then went quiet when a Britney Spears song came on. I glanced in the rear view mirror as we passed near a street light, and saw that she was mesmerized into silence. As Brit belted out a few more choruses, Alexis began to dance. Then she asked, "Who is singing, momma?"
"Britney Spears," I replied. I would like bonus points for not adding, "but I wouldn't really call that 'singing.'"
"I like Britney Spears," she said.
Shoot me now. Please.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Reader Comments (34)
Aw, come on, who doesn't love a little Brit-Brit? Thank goodness my child likes most of the same music I do, although I do need to censor some things. I had to laugh though when he asked his dad to put the sound track from the original Star Wars onto the Ipod he goes to sleep to at night. I mean seriously, who goes to sleep to the "Bar scene" music? BTW, that read couch makes a fantastic background for the blindingly white cat.
Just be thankful that she hasn't started to ask for you to take her to a Britney Spears concert.
Come on Pop isn't that bad. I like a little bit of everything and britney's recent stuff is actually pretty good.
Don't write off her just yet. My favorite songs at her age were "Let's Hear It For The Boy" and "Wake Me Up For You Go-Go." She had time. Of course, between then and reaching the state of good music taste, there will probably be a boyband obsession- good luck with that.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
When I was four, my favorite band was Van Halen.
I was AWESOME.
The kid likes a variety of stuff but I never really expose her to anything I don't listen to, so she hasn't had a chance to like much else. You know, because I'm an awesome mom like that.
You're so brave. I never gave my kids the pop choice. They just got used to classic rock till it became part of who they are. Poor things.
Hmmm.
Brittany, Miley and Hillary?
Ya. I'm grateful the world now has Taylor Swift. PUKE > "Where are my panties?"
My kids are all different--luckily we all enjoy the Backyardigans (just don't let me oldest's 6th grade class know she sings them all day!)
Pop--yeah, puke ;)
@chasingalittlelion--I KNOW. It's a sad state of affairs when you start to judge your kid's music by the moral compass of the singer. As if I didn't already feel old . . .
I would rather listen to the Britney (I don't like her either!!)Or Miley Or even Taylor than the music my teen son thinks we all should worship.. Screamo heavy metal, that make my ears bleed.
ha Maggie has just started noticing Real Music (meaning: not Disney or Old McDonald Had A Farm) And I'm mostly okay with that... it's just a little sad because it means she's growing up. But she still likes that baby/kid stuff too, so that's good.
However, if she likes Taylor Swift, I'm all over it, 'cause Taylor Swift is my homegirl ;) Will you still be my friend???
She apparently likes the cats, too. Smart girl, that one!
We can fix this... I will come help and indoctrinate her with all things that are NOT britney spears until she sees the error of her ways. Really. It isn't too late...
Bwahahaha!!!! Dude, it can't get much worse. Wait until she wants to dress like her!
We're still into pre-schooler music, and I will even admit that I love the kids songs. I happily sing along with Twinkle and Old McDonald. I don't mind a little bit of pop, but I don't know what I'd do if that was all my kid would listen to. I feel for you!
This is my husband's nightmare. There is a moratorium on pop music and kid's music in the house. It's pretty easy to enforce with an 8 month old, but we'll see how long it lasts!
One of the girls I watch is obsessed with the one Taylor Swift song (I can't believe I don't know the name). She plays it over and over and over and over, singing loudly (and badly) along to the CD. Her sister is "not allowed" to sing when that song comes on. I am trying to wait patiently for her to become obsessed with another song and contemplating "accidentally" breaking her CD player.
I would pick Brit Brit over Laurie Berkner. Do you know how long that F-A-M-I-L-Y song can stay in your head? It's a long ass time.
I would pick Britney Spears over Fergie and Hannah Montana ANY day.
You are lucky! I have three boys and all I hear is the sounds of cars crashing, monsters eating the crashing cars, and oh the endless tooting of the train. I'd gladly take some singing to pop trends anyday. Don't know what it is but the sounds that my boys love to make - and don't stop making are just SOOOOO annoying!
Ugh. Ya know, it isn't the music that bothers me so much but the crappy movies and toys. Like High School Musical. I guess that kind of combines crappy music with crappy movies, huh? I hope my kids never get into that. Yikes.
I shall bring my own little girl and her collection of Pink and Nickelback to the cookie fun. Because sexually explicit is so much better!
You have my complete sympathy! I have 3 girls and so far have been able to avoid this trap. Well, Diva likes Hannah Montana, but I've been able to prevent too much attachment to her. Stipper pole girl is not the idol I want for my daughter. At least Taylor Swift seems a little reserved even if her music isn't super awesome.
Oh man, are you sure she wasn't switched at birth?
Just askin'
It's all good until you hear the words "I wanna take a ride on your disco stick"
I'm with Flea...
My kids (if I had any) would get a steady diet of Classic Rock, until they can tell Angus from Eddie by the licks alone.
I know, I know... it's all good in theory. Ultimately, you just want the screaming to stop so you do what they want...
I love Taylor Swift. She is 100 times better than Britney, and a much better role model. Plus she is super cute (in a little sister sort of way, of course). I think I will die if my kid ever makes me listen to pop.
She can like Brit as long as she doesn't start dressing like her. Or acting like her. Or dancing like her. Wait, maybe Taylor Swift isn't so bad after all!
We were out to eat the other night and Britany Spears was being played while we were waiting for a table. To which Aaron exclaimed "Mommy, the Muppets are singing!"
My sister used to love boy george when she was that age. She even insisted on being him for halloween. Her tastes have significantly improved since then.
As for me, my favorite music was the cabbage patch dreams sing-a-long album. I'm surprised my mom didn't kill me and my sister after all the fights we had over who got to be sybil-sadie and who got to be ramie. I promise I don't still listen to it. Well, maybe sometimes...
This story will totally make you feel better: the problem I'm having with my 5-year-old is that during weekends @ dad's, she has been watching her soon-to-be-step-sister make out with her boyfriend. I am not lying when I tell you that I've had to explain to Gracie why it's inappropriate for her to make out with the back of my hand. Shoot me now, please. The teen years are gonna blow - and I can't even blame them on the influence of The Britney.
You might love this blog called,
"Things I Want to Punch in the Face http://thingsiwanttopunchintheface.blogspot.com/
:)
(I don't know why the comment came out spaced like that - sorry!