I’m fairly new to the Yo Gabba Gabba fan club. At first I didn’t understand the appeal. If you’ve never seen the show, it’s kinda trippy. The first couple of episodes I watched, I thought I should have smoked something. . . I can understand the appeal to kids with its bright colors, fun songs, and lots of dancing. The show’s alumnae of special guests is amazing: Anthony Bourdain, Jack Black, Tony Hawk, and other people I would never think would guest star on a kids television show.
Now that both of my kids have fallen in love with the show. Jaxson frequently sings the theme song in bed as I wait for him to fall asleep. Hubby does a pretty good impression of DJ Lance. We’ve even batted around the idea of the family dressing up as Yo Gabba Gabba characters for Halloween.
No matter how strange the characters are (Muno looks like a red rubber vibrator) or how tight DJ Lance’s pants (tights?) are, the songs are catchy. I find myself singing and humming them throughout the day. Even after the kids are in bed.
Those catchy songs have inspired me to share with you:
5 Important Life Lessons from Yo Gabba Gabba Songs
- Eat your veggies How can you go wrong when your carrots are sad because they can’t join the party in your tummy with the cheese and juice? All you have to do while you eat your green beans is sing Party in My Tummy. Because they’re “so yummy, so yummy!” I couldn’t help myself. I actually sing that to get my kids to eat their green beans.
- Make new friends. Make friends by saying “Hi” to the person next to you. When I go to conferences or blogger meet ups, I try to introduce myself and get to know the person next to me. Sometimes we hit it off, sometimes we don’t. But I know that I’ve tried. Hey, Yo Gabba Gabba says you should say “Hi” even it they’re “big and hairy” or “small and slimy.” Ok, maybe I’ll have to work on it if they’re slimy. (Don’t Be Afraid)
- Make friends with people who are different from you. Your friends may not be a giant worm named Archibald, or a pink round gal named Foofa, but I’ll bet they’re all different colors, sizes, hairdos, and maybe not even a Yo Gabba Gabba friend. Having friends who are different opens us up to new experiences. (from All My Friends are Different)
- Try something new. You never know if you’ll like it unless you try it. I tell Sophia this all the time, but forget about it myself. If trying something new makes me a little uncomfortable, that means I should definitely give it a go. Take dancing in public for example. I’m always worried that I’ll look silly dancing in public, but my trick is to have a couple of drinks. Just don’t tell my daughter I said that. (from Try It, You’ll Like It)
- Shake it off. Feeling down or blue? Antsy or nervous? Feeling a creative block? No worries, put on some music and Get the Sillies Out. Do a silly dance. I know I just said I don’t like to dance in public dancing in front of my kids doesn’t count. A little change in perspective (and a little workout) will put you in a better mood.