I'm Bringing Barney Back

When Princess was just a wee one back in the day she loved a good episode of Barney. At the time I knew it was a sure thing for giving me about 30 minutes of time to do the dishes, laundry, cook dinner, or maybe even a mini nap for myself. Of course it was also extremely annoying. She wanted to listen to the darn tape (yes I said tape) in the car. If I didn't play it she would scream. And not just any scream mind you....a blood curdling scream that makes you want to swerve off the road and crash your car so you have something else to think about.

The only thing I didn't realize at the time was how important, wonderful, and greatly appreciated listening to those Barney songs 783 million times would become.

Let me bring you to present day...

Location: Target (what a great store)
Children: All 5... BY MYSELF
Me: trying to get important things for our daily lives....feminine products, shampoo, diapers, wipes...you get the picture
Happenings: Oldest 2 children arguing non stop, little boys asking for everything and anything in a package, Little Monkey screaming about the buckle being on...being off...being on blah blah blah

When out of know where (after my head was spinning, my eyes were glazing over, and my ears were hurting from my excessive words of please stop, be quiet, no, yes, sit down....)
I start to hum. Hmmm hmmm hm hmmmm hm hm hmmmm hmmm hmm hm hm hm hm....After few minutes I realize I'm humming Barney and it's getting louder and louder to drown out the noise of these obnoxious children.

They stop and look at me. They have a little bit of a puzzled look. But after a second go back to what they were doing. And all of the sudden I belt out (w/o realizing it) "I love you. You love me. We're a happy family." They all turn w/ mouths wide open....as if to say "Is she really? No can't be. Is she crazy?" They stare and I hear "Mom! Really?!?!

We walk a few more feet. I continue adding the supplies to my cart that I need. The arguing ensues...and now Princess is asking for something. I have said no a million times by now I think. She gets louder with her pleading. "Mom! Mom! I'm talking to you. Mom!?!? Answer me (I'm doing my absolute best to ignore her.) I begin to sing...more loudly now. People are looking at us. I don't care. I don't know them...they don't know me. I'll never see them again right?

But the best thing is occurring. My kids are more than mortified that their mother is singing in the store. Barney of all things! But they are quiet. There is no more arguing, and they are hurrying to the check out. Of course Little Monkey loved this and he began trying to sing with me. And he just laughed and was really happy the rest of the way out of the store.

Princess tried to argue about that too but I only got louder. So she stopped. Like really quick!

Today, we had to grocery shop. I usually don't take all of them, but I had to see if my new found parenting skill could possibly work twice. After all every book says to try things out more than once before giving up. It was great. I didn't even have to sing the words...I just started humming and they immediately stopped whatever they were doing.

So to all the mommies out there....one day your children will be embarrassed by you no matter what. So why not give them a reason to be! After all how many tantrums have they thrown that have caused many o' glares? So write this down for your future teenage and preteen kids. I think I'll add it to my book I will someday write:)

And I'll leave you with a little picture of the weekend workouts (cause I'm a copy cat...thank you Melissa).