CD's you AND your children can happily listen to.

Remember, when you used to babysit kids and all they wanted to watch was Barney, and you were like: I am NEVER having kids.

But then time passed and clouded your memory and you decided that you DID want to have kids. And remember when you were anticipating the arrival of your baby, and you started reading about the effect of classical music on your baby, and how listening to it would make her smarter? You would see the mozart/lullaby Cd's at Babies R Us, and you would put the headphones on your belly, hoping the baby would be able to read when it came out?

And you tried the mozart for a while, but you can only take SO MUCH classical music. And someone introduced Barney to your kid and suddenly you had a flashback to those babysitting days and how much Barney drove you bonkers.

And all of a sudden you are stuck, and you don't know how to proceed. You don't know how to stop the insanity of the Mozart/Barney cunundrum.

This is where I step in. I am hear to help you get past this phase into the "I love music AND my kids music" phase.


First of all, I don't think it is a necessity to cater to your children when it comes to music. In fact, when I was growing up I feel there were very few choices that were specific to kids, so I was raised on Olivia Newton-John and Cyndi Lauper, and that was just fine. I still have little objection to exposing your kids to the same music that you like, however I did find it disturbing when my daughter was singing her own version of Fergie's London Bridge (thank you DH) the other day.

If you would like to build a collection of children's music, I have compiled a list that I find is tolerable and inspirational for children. Please add to it in your comments or agree/disagree with the choices I have listed.

Category 1: Catered to Grownups first, now catering to the little ones
Harry Connick Jr. ~ Songs I Heard I love his remakes of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Annie songs...

They Might Be Giants ~ I think they have 3 albums. I can take or leave TMBG, but I think Michelle and her family like these albums, so they made the list.

John Lithgow. Remember him from Third Rock from the Sun, and some movie that he filmed in UTAH and every Mormon on the planet has met him? (including me, but NOT in Utah, after his show on Broadway). Well, he has a handful of audio cd's for children. The one we have is Singing in the Bathtub, and I find it creative and fun, accept the TRIPLETS song.

35 Years of Sesame Street. This one makes the list because we were watching SS before our kids, and it is totally nastolgic and fun. I do not own this, but Carrrie did, and I always loved it when it came up on the ipod.

There is a song on a disc that my sis-in-law burned for me called La La Lemon, sung by Barenaked Ladies, and I found it on this album: For the Kids Vol. 1

Lisa Loeb has a children's album. I have heard a few tracks...it looks fun.

Category 2: Strictly Kids, as far as I can tell

The Persuasions I discovered these guys on Jack's Big Music Show, and I fell in love with the song: I'm so Glad (I've got skin). If you haven't discovered noggin or Jack's show, you need to. I found this list on amazon with all the artists that appear on the show.

I disovered Justin Roberts while listening to XM Kids Radio. His song and album of the same title, MELTDOWN really resonated with me at the time. We LOVE this album. Thanks Carrie.

If you don't know who Laurie Berkner is by now, then I am glad you are reading today. All of her albums are great. We particularly love UNDER A SHADY TREE and her new amazing DVD. Laurie is also a mom, so we love that about her.

You know our favorite board books by Sandra Boynton? Well, she has a few cd's herself. I like Philadelphia Chickens, the celebrities singing on it are funny and the songs completely random.

For a compilation of the sounds of the world, check out World Playground. The kids love it, and you feel that you are exposing them to a bit of multiculturalism.

I don't know about you, but I actually enjoy the Disney music from the videos, and since having a daughter means the inevitable indoctrination of everything Disney Princess, try this album. It not only has the songs, but also the instrumental only, providing a nice challenge for your kids to listen and try to sing by themselves.

Jazz for Kids is a fun way to expose your child to some basic jazz. This cd reminds me of one I got from Pottery Barn years ago called First Steps. I am thinking you can't buy it retail anymore, so this is a good follow up.

If you want some lively Sunday music, try the best Mormon Tabernacle Choir Album ever made. It is called An American Heritage of Spirituals, and it is amazing. Moses Hogan worked closely with the Motab on this, and he has since passed away. Don't forget to listen to Elijah Rock, over and over again.

Individual Tracks:
Grandma's Featherbed was my DH's favorite bedtime song growing up. It is by John Denver, and you can buy it on itunes, or the whole album.

Bein' Green, on Audra Macdonald's new album, Build a Bridge. Seriously such a moving rendition.

Trolly Song, from the film Meet me in St. Louis, sung by Judy Garland. It's pretty special.

What music do you and your little ones rock out to?