I never really understood rhymes and other children songs. It made no sense but as a mother I understand how soothing rhythms can be. I understand how young kids love them. I play them during our drive time and it makes driving so much easier. But I have issues – I know most songs mean nothing but some do send the wrong message.

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.
She had so many children, she didn’t know what to do;
She gave them some broth without any bread;
Then whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.

Please tell me why would any mother want to play this song to her child. I can understand that this song was written in times very different from today but still no mother – would whip her child soundly because the child was hungry or so I think.

Now that is it Christmas season, Rudolph the red nosed reindeer is a common song all around – I hear it everywhere grocery stores to radio stations and it irritates me.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it,
You would even say it glows.
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names;
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,
Santa came to say,
Rudolph with your nose so bright,
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?

Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee,
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,
You’ll go down in history.

Why are we teaching our kids that you need to shun someone because they are different? And why do we appreciate the same shunned person when someone else recognizes them? I honestly hate the message this song sends out.

Another song I am having issues with is “Skip to my lou”. I have never heard this song but one of kuttyma’s CD’s has this song and I started digging. I understand it a partner stealing dance song but when you play it to kids why do we need to say, I found someone prettier than you? Again the wrong message

Any songs you have issues with?