22
Jun
2011
When you have kids, silence is Top of the Pops
I used to really enjoy listening to music. I’d be out to see live bands three nights a week, out dancing two nights a week, and the other two nights would feature music at home. This, of course, was Before Children. Now, the only thing I really want to hear is silence. Played nice and quiet.
When I’m at home with children, the last thing I want to do is to add another layer to the chaos and cacophony that surrounds me. On the rare occasion that I’m at home without them, I want to revel in the quiet. Bask in it. Roll around in it the way that Demi Moore rolled around in that cash in that movie where someone paid a million bucks to sleep with her. Unfortunately, I don’t look that good in my Silence.
Husband B feels that I am letting the side down. He feels that I should have music on in the house all the time, exposing the kids to different styles, types and tempos. I get that. The parental influence on our musical memories should never be underestimated (Neil Diamond, anyone?). But I refuse to feel guilty about it. I feel that I’m responsible for so much right now, that introducing my kids to the formative works of Nirvana and Lady Gaga can wait a little bit. Besides, I’m teaching them to appreciate silence. That’s good, right?
Are you a music On type, or a music Off type? What do you think your kids will remember most about your music collection when they all grown up?
I love music noise. When the kids get noisy, I add music. I think it directs their energies more, so even though they’re still loud, at least they are enjoying the music and *dancing*
I also find music is something we can all enjoy together, unlike TV which I find hard to watch. We’re not pedantic, but I love music and I want to enjoy it with them.
I think they will remember daddy trying to sing along to Regina Spektor, off key, out of time. And all the good CDs, they were mummy’s.
I was absolutely a music on person before kids. I spent a long time preparing a birth suite playlist(which was never playedbut that is another story). These days I finally get why my own mum never wanted music on. Especially my teenage music, also known by her as ‘noise’. Your blog describes it perfectly. Show me the silence!
LOL @Karen. The good CDs are always Mummy’s.
@Pharmasal – I think the ‘birth suite playlist’ is a whole different post… along with the ‘birth plan’.
I hear you in the music. We always listen to music in the car and try for classical on a Sunday, but silence is underrated IMHO!