I remember saying before I had kids that I would never watch “those” kids’ shows or listen to children’s music in the car. I was convinced I’d always keep my own favorite movies, shows, and playlists on instead. But now that I have three-year-old girls, things have definitely changed.
Becoming a parent has a funny way of shifting your perspective and your tolerance level. The things that once seemed annoying or unbearable somehow become part of everyday life. Songs you swore you’d never hear on repeat suddenly become the soundtrack to your car rides, and cartoons you once avoided are now regular background noise in the living room.
What used to bug me now feels more like a minor irritation that goes in one ear and out the other. In a way, you adapt without even realizing it. Seeing the excitement and happiness on your kids’ faces makes those little sacrifices feel completely worth it. Parenthood has a way of teaching patience, flexibility, and how to laugh at the things you once thought you’d never tolerate.
Before I had kids, I absolutely hated the movie Frozen because of the song “Let It Go.” I swore I would never willingly listen to it. But now that I have little girls, it has become one of those everyday songs that eventually goes in one ear and out the other.
My girls are currently in the “acting it out” stage, where dress-up clothes, sing-alongs, and dance routines are a constant part of daily life. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed Autumn doing these tiny movements in the living room. Curious, I stopped what I was doing and watched her carefully act out Frozen 2 move by move. Every time Elsa tossed magical snow into the air, Autumn would lift one hand and mimic every motion perfectly. It was adorable.
The moment I saw that, I knew I had to order the girls Elsa and Anna dresses. And of course, once they became little princesses themselves, they got even more invested in the movie. Watching them completely lose themselves in their imagination has been one of the sweetest parts of motherhood.
Autumn’s other favorite movie is The Nightmare Before Christmas, and honestly, it has me convinced she’s destined to be a theater or drama student someday. One afternoon, I caught her climbing all over the couch, and I was just about ready to use my “mom voice” when I realized she was acting out an entire scene. She was singing along to Jack’s Lament, the part where Jack walks through the graveyard singing about being tired of the same Halloween routine year after year, even though everyone admires him. She knew every movement, every word, and every dramatic pause. It was oddly poetic, and I couldn’t help but feel proud watching her perform with so much emotion and imagination.
That’s the funny thing about becoming a parent, you slowly become less annoyed by the things you once couldn’t stand. Watching your kids learn, grow, and create these little worlds with their imaginations changes your perspective completely. The songs that once drove you crazy become memories tied to bedtime dances, living room performances, and little voices singing at the top of their lungs.
Girls, keep singing Frozen songs for as long as you want, because I know one day you won’t be putting on these little shows for me anymore. And no matter how many times I wake up in the middle of the night with “Some Things Never Change” stuck in my head, I know I’ll miss these moments someday.
