During the first days caring for my new grandson, I found myself having to endlessly “walk the floor with him” to get him to sleep. I was reminded that caring for a new baby is hard work. It is overwhelming and all-consuming, miraculous- and sometimes lonely. But my heart was filled with the realization that unlike my siblings and me (we had no cousins, aunts or uncles), he would be surrounded by abundant extended family who already loved the baby they had just met. So I sang this song… over and over and over until he slept and I was calmed.

And that’s the magic of singing.

NOTE: This is also great for parenting groups. Hold your babies and walk in a circle as you sing together.

 

Pretty Baby You’re Surrounded In Love

Mama’s gonna rock you in her arms,
In her arms, in her arms
Mama’s gonna rock you in her arms
Pretty baby you’re surrounded in love
       (repeat with daddy, grandma, grandpa, etc)