MUSIC is MY MEDICINE!

Singing My Worries Away!!

Music is my medicine. Looking back, even into my childhood, I realize it always has been. On the days when I was home sick as a little one, I would curl up in my pajamas with my favorite stuffed animal and listen to my Sesame Street record. As a moody teenager, I would play back all those songs I had taped off of the radio when I needed to be alone. As I took a break from studying music theory and history in college, I would grab my portable CD player & favorite CD and go for a walk. And now in those few, rare, kid-free hours, this stressed out momma of two puts down the car windows, pops open the moon roof, and blasts my favorite music as I drive around town. 

Music touches the heart and soul in such a magical way. It helps us celebrate. It conveys our love. It expresses our gratitude. It validates our feelings. It helps us grieve. It allows us to vent our frustrations. It meets us where we are, and can change a bad day to good. 

Hugs at WeJoySing

I have spent countless Monday evenings racing to my oldest child’s WeJoySing class, trying to silence the fighting in the backseat, and trying desperately to hold onto my last bit of sanity. I did not feel very joyful. I just wanted to drop off my children and come back in 30 minutes! But I walked in, took a breath, sat down, and reluctantly started to sing. I found myself turning into a smiling, laughing, happy mommy. My crying, screaming, fighting children turned into smiling, laughing, excited little people. They were motivated by familiar songs and new instruments to explore. They wanted to share their joy with me. Music was their medicine as much as it was mine! 

Gooood Medicine!!

As a WeJoySing instructor, I see this in my classes every week. I see you, stressed out momma. I see your exhaustion. I see you barely holding it together. And, I rejoice with you as your unhappy little one begins to smile, and sing, and celebrate. I rejoice with you as *you* start to smile, and sing, and celebrate with him. 

Music is powerful. Music is good medicine! Here’s hoping our precious 30 minutes together each week is your medicine, too. 

Love & LaLa’s,
Mrs. Karen 

"Long Lonely Days" - Not at WeJoySing!

 “We have all known the long loneliness,
and we have found that the answer is community.” – Dorothy Day

I happened upon this quote while surfing social media and it immediately made me think of WeJoySing and parenthood.  As parents, don’t we all know the “long loneliness”?  While the years may be short, the days can definitely be long.  We are overwhelmed by to-do lists that come along with raising little humans.  These tasks have to be checked off the list by YOU, the parent.  They are done in the dark early morning hours before your children wake, or long after they’ve gone to sleep.  Some days,  hours pass without speaking to another adult.  It can be LONELY. 

friendship & community at WEjoysing!

I remember taking my first-born to Mrs. Lynnette’s class for 13-24 month-olds.  We were new to the area and I couldn’t take another second without some form of human contact (besides my needy toddler!).  As I sat in her class for the first time, I nearly wept from the relief and joy I felt.  Wow- here are some other moms JUST LIKE ME with toddlers who have the same needs as mine! Life outside of my four walls actually DOES EXIST!  Friendships grew with these parents who brought their children each week. Playdates were made. Community was built.  Imagine how powerful it is for children to be a part of a larger community!

And now as an instructor for WeJoySing, I have had the privilege of watching these communities of families grow together. I hear parents talking before and after class about those nagging parenting issues that keep us all awake at night. I see parents filled with pride and joy as they watch each of the children reaching different milestones.  What an honor and a blessing it is to witness these relationships growing over time.

You see, WeJoySing is more than just a music class.  Yes, children do develop lifelong skills from these classes. But I want you to know that these classes are so much more. They have been for me, and they can be for you, an answer to the “long loneliness”.  What a gift!

Not Lonely!
Mrs. Jody