Nursery Rhymes Good or Bad?

Nursery rhymes are something most all parent have told their children, while spending quality time with them. While some may see sweet and carefree, some nursery rhymes are really somewhat sinister when you think about it.

Rock a bye baby was a favorite of mine while growing up but as an adult, I changed some of the words when I recited it to my children. There is just something about a cradle falling from a tree, baby and all that seems twisted. Do we really want to send this message, to our beloved babies and toddlers? I imagine we do not that is why I changed it to be rock a bye baby in the treetop, when the wind blows the cradle will rock and down will come baby safe from harm. That sends a better message as a loving parent I think.

We all remember Eeny, meeny, miny, moe Catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers, let him go, Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Can you imagine telling a child to go grab a tiger's toe? The tiger would eat the poor child alive, while this may not seem like a viable occurrence, what about those kids who live near mountain lions. What message are we sending them? I have heard the other version to, but I will never promote racism so that version was never uttered from my lips.

Fee, Fie, Foe, Fum! You know this one where it is said I smell the blood of an Englishman. Be he live or dead I will grind his bones to make my bread. Do we want to teach our children that cannibalism is an acceptable practice? There is just something about putting the image of a giant human eating machine, that would drive panic into many children when they watch jack and the beanstalk.