Everyone loves a good musical, whether on the stage or screen, movie or television show. Emotions are often better expressed through songs, which helps us celebrate the moments of joy and get through the times that challenge us. If my day were a musical, the soundtrack would go something like this:

First thing in the morning

I’m recharged after my night’s sleep, and getting my kids out of bed requires A LOT of effort. I usually use a smorgasbord of children’s “good morning” songs, but I also sometimes mix in others:

Simon and Garfunkel: Wake up, little Susie, wake up. Wake up, little Susie, wake up.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: Wake up, wake up, wake up it’s the first of the month, to get up, get up, get up so cash your checks and get up.

The Beatles, at top volume: Good day sunshine. Good day sunshine. Good day sunshine.

I don’t know if the singing helps get them out of bed, but it makes my day start in a nice way!

Over the course of the day

I watch my kids zip around in the yard or down the sidewalk, all three going in different directions. One phrase from Information Society’s song “What’s on Your Mind” goes through my head on repeat: Pure energy.

Every time I’m cleaning up a spill or picking up the pieces of something that’s been broken, I sing Taylor Swift: This is why we can’t have nice things, darling. Because you break them. I had to take them away.

COVID-19 has confined us to our house for the past three months. It seems like in my ears is a constant stream of “Mommy, can you get me a snack?” “Mommy, can you get me this thing?” “Mommy, I need your help.” “Mommy.” “Mommy!” “MOMMY!!!” And I’m ashamed to say it, but it makes me want to cover my ears and channel Michael Jackson: Leave me alone. Stop it! Just stop doggin’ me around.

Then the Beatles again, but “My Michelle” this time: I love you, I love you, I love you. That’s all I want to say.

At bedtime

My 4-year-old doesn’t want us to leave her room at night, and I hear Celine Dion: All by myself. Don’t wanna be all by myself anymore.

Meanwhile, my 7-year-old is ready to party, and I hear Sheryl Crow: All I wanna do is have some fun, I’ve got a feeling the party has just begun. All I wanna do is have some fun, until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard.

Then, the day’s soundtrack comes to a close, and I go to sleep. And all is quiet.

Rachel Wilson
Rachel Wilson
Rachel is a native of the West Coast and didn't know that her straight hair could frizz until she made the move East! After earning a Master of Environmental Management from Yale, she moved to Boston for a job opportunity and, on her first Saturday night in the city, met the man who would become her husband. They married in 2012 and are learning more every day about how to be parents to daughters Annabel (2013) and Eleanor (2016). Rachel and her family recently relocated from Charlestown to the Metrowest suburbs and are enjoying their yard, but dislike shoveling snow from their driveway. Rachel currently works as an energy and environmental consultant, and wore Birkenstocks before they were trendy. Likes: her family, her in-laws, cooking ambitious meals and leaving the dishes for someone else, hiking, running, yoga, climbing mountains, reading books, farmers' markets and her CSA, dark chocolate peanut butter cups, the sound of her daughters' laughter, and coffee Dislikes: running out of milk, New England winters, diaper rash, wastefulness, cell phones at the dinner table

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