You kiss your mother with that mouth?

Today is my niece Ava's sixth birthday. (Yeah!) My gift to her is a mix cd with her favorite Top-40 hits featuring music that makes my ears bleed, i.e. Akon, Katy Perry, etc. I gladly infect my iTunes with this "music" because I think it is exceedingly important to encourage a love of music in youngsters. When I was younger, my older sisters introduced me to music that I enjoy to this day. (I still remember the day in 1984 when my older sister Laurel came home with the new Wham UK! record for me and said, "I think you are going to love this album." Thus beginning my love affair with George Michael. But I digress.)

BUT, here's my issue: music on the radio these days--the stuff Ava likes--is so foul-mouthed! Even when I download the clean versions, there is enough suggestive language to make me want to put earmuffs on all kids within hearing distance. When Lily Allen brags about her "f*&^kloads of diamonds" will Ava believe she just said "truckloads?" Uh, no.

It makes me sentimental for the days of "Darling Nikki" when at least Prince tried to cover up the raunch. Although, there was the Violent Femmes song that asked "How can I get just one f*&K" that almost got our record player reposessed by my horrified father.

Anyway, Happy Birthday Ava. Sorry for teaching you curse words. -Auntie