I was a stay-at-home mom for years before my kids went to school. I’ve always danced – mostly ballet and jazz. With my teacher’s permission, my kids would often accompany me to my morning adult dance class and sit in an area where I could keep an eye on them. They were mostly good for the 45-minute class. They’d play together and mimic some of our moves. At the time, my daughter was 4, and my son was 2.
One of our warm-up songs for the class was “Hot Potato” by LaToya Jackson. It had a great beat, and was perfect for getting you going. When we got home after class, it was nap time for the kids. Unfortunately, some times, my son would wake up in a pretty bad mood. And this was just before my husband got home from work. Often my son would sit at the dinner table and just cry, making it an unpleasant meal for all of us.
But I found a solution! Half an hour before my husband came home, I turned on my now vintage stereo, put on “Hot Potato,” and opened the door to my son’s bedroom so he could hear LaToya belt out one of his favorite songs. My little guy would start boogying in his crib and yell “Hot potato, hot potato,” perfectly happy and in a great mood by the time his dad came home.
All was good from that point on. I’m grateful to that song and to the power of music to lift all our spirits!
Corinna
Music Lifts My Family’s Spirit
The Dr. Laura Call of the Day Podcast
