I’m giving Coco Melon a rest…

Sometimes, the gworls get tired.  If we need a few minutes, or an hour, Coco Melon was our biggest ally. My first born would sit on the floor, completely focused, like an adorable zombie for as long as I would allow. No shame or guilt! Mama needed a minute.

I have no idea why the kiddies love it so much. It’s colorful, the songs are cute and familiar. What am I missing? Why is the child in a trance? Coco Melon taught my daughter how to say “eew” to broccoli, and for that I am eternally grateful. But the pros of a quiet baby were washed away by the cons of the music that stuck with me all day. It was a beautiful partnership while it lasted. Fortunately, my big girl is on to big girl things! The 450 million dollar empire will just have to survive without us!

Now, it’s Gracie’s Corner for meeeee! This young, gifted and black family was looking for a way to entertain their kids during the pandemic. They found a way to educate but make it fun, while representing something we don’t see enough of.  We’ve all gone down the YouTube rabbit hole, searching for something educational enough to keep away the mom guilt, and fun enough to keep them watching.

Why Gracie’s Corner?

As a black mom, I found tons of options with charismatic white children to keep my girl laughing and singing. Now before you ask if race matters, yes, my dear, it does matter. Representation matters. Culture matters. So when I stumbled upon Gracie’s Corner, and saw a black girl, singing over hip hop beats with the purpose of teaching, I was relieved! Graicie is a 9 year old girl who loves to sing, and now she’s getting those YouTube checks and I’m here for it.

I’m in Gracie’s Corner wearing my “rooting for everybody black” t-shirt, and I’m staying for the bops.  I mean it, the songs are really good. If you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself doing your “grownup” dance to Gracies jams.

If I’m being honest, some of the conspiracy theorist moms got into my head. The undeniable trance Coco Melon puts a baby in had some of us looking for cryptic messages on the screen. There probably are none. It’s all bright colors and nursery rhymes from what I can tell. My daughter still sings about JJ and the rest of the gang, so if she insists, she can watch for a bit. However, a change was refreshing. So for now I’ll be sticking with Gracie.