My husband and I are musicians. And we’re parents. When we are onstage, we do our best to really be ON stage. But all our “backstage” experiences with our son (our little frog) deeply affect who we are as people, thus musicians. Recent insights: 

I often share big thoughts on trying to nurture/balance both my creative career and family life. A few nitty gritty lists of tools/rules coming up in the next few weeks. (Hoping to add to these lists with your input.)

Today: videos for toddlers. Even  if you don’t “do” TV at home, an ipod loaded with imaginative movies is a great device for your travel toolkit. Put an old ipod in a toddler-proof case like this, and your kid can hold it by himself.

It’s okay. Even creative, energetic parents and kids need a break from reading books and making up games. Here are a few un-loud, un-dumb, un-crazy-making faves on our playlist:

• Jungle Book (great music; and Kha the snake always elicits giggles)
• Shaun the Sheep (silly; and with no dialog, this works with the sound off)
• Thomas the Tank Engine short stories, with great narration by either Ringo Starr, George Carlin, or fabulous Alec Baldwin. (hard to believe this series ever seemed odd to us–so familiar and comforting now)
• Cat in the Hat and other Dr Seuss animated stories. The old ones are gentlest. Though Martin Short’s narration is also hilarious.
• I, Crocodile and other stories.

Got any faves? Do tell! And please pass the Trader Joe’s Kettle Corn…