Mommy Brain

Has anyone else ever wondered why so many of the children’s nursery rhymes are a little off? I mean.. some are sort of morbid when you think about it… Now… before you start checking Urban Legends, or Snopes on me, take a look at what I’m talking about.

The first one that comes to my mind is the traditional Ring Around the Rosy.

Ring around the rosy,

pockets full of posy

ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

I’ve heard various things about it being about the plague and that was determined to be false. Well, actually.. they say the origin is unknown.. So, who’s to say it’s not? It just sounds bad when you actually listen to the words. I think the last line is just sad! Honestly now.. Ashes, Ashes, We all Fall Down… *shudder*

Ok.. the next one, the one that actually made me think of this post. Daddy was singing a song to the girls the other day. The girls LOVE it. They sing along, and clap along. In fact, we sang it just before bed, and the girls kept singing it after we put them to bed. It was cute, but it also got me thinking.

Three little monkeys sitting in a tree,

Teasing Mr. Alligator, “Can’t Catch Me!”

Along comes Mr. Alligator, quiet as can be.
SNAP!

Two little monkeys sitting in a tree…

etc. until there are no more monkeys..

Now, I understand the importance of teaching children to count backwards…. but do you HAVE to do it with an alligator eating monkeys? LOL Of course, daddy says it’s all about Natural Selection, but the mommy in me thinks it’s just mean!!!

Remember the Ten Little Monkeys jumping on the bed? One fell off and broke his head? YIKES! I know there are so many more out there. It’s just been so long since I’ve heard them.

I know children don’t pay attention to the words and think the same things… To them, it’s a game, and a fun little rhyme. No big deal. I just had to laugh when i heard them yelling “SNAP, no more monkeys in the tree.”