Who the Heck is Ms. Rachel?
What — you don’t know? Well my friend, let me enlighten you.
Until very recently, I had no idea who Ms. Rachel was. And if you don’t have a toddler in your life, you probably wouldn’t have much reason to know who she is either. But let me tell you — the woman is a machine.
Solo Babysitting for the Weekend
Last weekend, I was left in charge of my one-year-old grandson Colin for three full days and nights (by myself, mind you) while my daughter and her husband jetted off cross-country to attend their friends’ wedding. It had been decades since I changed a diaper or tried to decode why a little person was screaming at me… l literally haven’t babysat since my grown kids were babies themselves. Let’s just say I was a little bit out of practice.
Game-Changing Advice
Before leaving, my daughter Sloan dropped this advice on me: “Dad, if things get bad, just turn on Ms. Rachel.”
It didn’t take long for “things to get bad” — or at least what I considered bad in my inexperienced, stressed, grandparent solo babysitter opinion. I mean, how does one define “bad” anyway? To me, a fussy toddler who doesn’t want food, milk, or another toy definitely falls into the “bad” category.
Enter Ms. Rachel
All it took was a button or two on their TV remote control, and wow. I’ve never seen anything like it.
The moment Ms. Rachel appeared on the screen, singing, smiling, and engaging with that high-energy-but-somehow-not-annoying delivery, Colin froze in his play yard. He stood there at the railing, clapping, laughing, and waving his arms for most of the entire hour-long episode.
I was amazed. Colin was amazed.
You rock, Ms. Rachel.
I just kept thinking, “What kind of magic is this? Who is this woman?”
Who is Ms. Rachel, anyway?
For those who don’t know, Ms. Rachel is a preschool teacher turned YouTube sensation whose videos are designed to teach babies and toddlers language, songs, and early skills. To an already-exhausted grandpa just trying to sneak in a bathroom break or eat a sandwich without juggling a toddler at the same time, she was more than just educational — she was necessary.
For the uninitiated, Ms. Rachel sings.
A lot.
Classic nursery rhymes, action songs, “Wheels on the Bus,” “I’m so Happy,” “Walking at the Zoo.” By the end of the weekend, I was singing them. Out loud. To myself. In the kitchen. In the shower. I’m pretty sure I hummed “I’m so Happy” in my sleep.
A Word of Warning
Ms. Rachel’s programs should come with a cautionary label that says, “Warning, these songs are going to stick in your head and you won’t be able to make them go away after you stop watching.”
They burrow into your brain and grab hold like something out of a Sci-Fi movie. The day after I returned home, I found myself in the grocery store singing, “I’m so Happy, I’m so Happy, I’m so Happy!” The cashier shot me a look that said, “You’re such a weirdo.”
I Don’t Think I Could Have Done This Without You, Ms. Rachel
If you’re ever entrusted with a toddler and find yourself teetering on the brink of a meltdown, don’t be afraid to let Ms. Rachel work her magic. She has the power to give you roughly 60 minutes of peace and quiet — and that’s worth more than gold when you’re babysitting a one-year-old by yourself.
I’ll admit it: Colin and I probably watched a whole lot more of Ms. Rachel than we should’ve. I guess time will tell, but as far as I know, neither of us should experience any long-term negative side effects from that.
The biggest downside? Good luck ever getting “I’m So Happy” out of your head. (What is it with that song, anyway?)
Thank you, Ms. Rachel, for playing a major role in my surviving my first solo weekend babysitting experience. I’m not sure I could’ve pulled it off successfully without you.
