I rocked my feverish child quietly in my arms and softly sang to him his favorite lullaby. As I sang, I thought of dreams from years gone by.

I recently realized full maturation in my singing voice. Well into my 30's, the richness and strength of my voice has thrilled me - yet the only ones who ever seem to hear my gift are my little ones when I sing to them at night. I have thought what a shame it is that I am not able to share more with those around me. During my teens I dreamed of singing in the great concert halls and theatres of the world. I spent years developing my talents in musical theatre and worked with some of the best directors, conductors, and musicians in my sphere.

As I have wondered at the irony of my family being the only ones to hear my voice (I do occasionally sing in church) I have come to the belief that maybe the reason I was given this gift of song was simply for and in behalf of my babies. I have used music to calm a frightened child, soothe my babies when they are crying and bring the Spirit of God into my home. My children have developed a deep love for music and I often have observed my toddlers singing to their dolls.

Once when my husband and I left our little daughters (ages 5 and 2 at the time) with a friend while we spent the night at a bed and breakfast to celebrate our anniversary, our little daughter Allison, who had never spent a night away from Mom, started to cry and fuss in the middle of the night. My friend was concerned about what to do for her, and then Michelle (our eldest daughter) woke up and began to rock her little sister and sing to her. My friend marveled that a five-year- old would know how to nurture and care for a little person. Yet that was all she knew- singing and rocking to comfort and console.

I am a violent critic of "let them cry it out" parenting practices. I believe children are permanently damaged by this type of non-nurture and the so-called "experts" who advocate it should simply go away. Parents who have learned to read their children's "cues" know and understand that babies do NOT cry just to antagonize their parents. They cry because of a specific need that should be addressed, as soon as possible. I quickly learned from my own babies that they usually were just lonely and wanted to be with me when they cried. A tummy full of warm mother's milk, a gentle rocking, and a soothing lullaby were all they generally needed to be happy again. I am so grateful that my husband has enabled me to have the privilege of being at home with my babies while they are nurslings. The combination of music and breastmilk has been a wonderful way for me to nurture and love my babies. If in this earth life I never am able to sing for the great audiences that I envisioned as a youth, it will be all right. I have FOREVER to sing praises to my God, but my babies will only be little for a short time. God give us all the courage to nurture the way these children deserve and let us boldly and proudly wear the scorn of those who feel we are "smother mothers" and "spoilers" (you are going to spoil that baby with too much holding!) as a badge of honor. I KNOW that I am doing a good job as a mother based on how many times a year someone tells me I try too hard or I hold my babies too much.

Mothers and Fathers…. Invest in a rocking chair, learn a few lullabies, nurture, hold, cherish, love and give your babies exactly what they deserve- a quiet song and a tummy full of warm mommies milk.