I finally know the reason the mommies on the bus say “Sh, Sh, Sh”

Dear JAMMers,

My son is 13 months old. This age is the prime “Wheels on the Bus” fandom stage.   We break out this song to stop tantrums in the car, at the grocery store, at the dinner table, and more.   I’ve sung it from memory and even played Miss Rachel’s version numerous times (God bless her). 

I admittedly never noticed that the Daddy was on the bus, let alone that he contributed an “I love you” to the day.  As a chronic overthinker, I kept ruminating on the difference between Mommy and Daddy in the song. Why does Daddy get the best message in the song?

And during my one millionth listen, it all became clear. I had a moment where time froze - like when Raven gets a psychic vision on That’s So Raven.  I finally know the real reason the mommies on the bus say “Sh, Sh, Sh.”  

The mommies aren’t shushing the babies going “Wah, Wah, Wah.”  Moms can block out a cry without batting an eyelash.

See, to fully understand, you have to go back to the morning of this bus ride. The bus was for a school field trip. (One could argue you actually have to go back to 4 weeks prior when the school sent thorough details about the trip home, but I digress)  

The field trip was a day at the zoo in May.  There would be lots of walking, lots of excitement, and potentially lots of sun.  

Mommy arranged for her and Daddy to be available.  She did the laundry. She signed the permission slip.  She made the breakfast. She packed the lunches.  She packed the car. 

As she hustled to the car that morning with her daughter in one arm and her iced coffee in the other arm - she shouted to her husband to grab the water bottles off the counter.  He replied, “Sure!”

Then his phone dinged with a notification and he was distracted.   “What was I doing?” he thought to himself… “Oh right, getting in the car.”  Time to go!

Hours later, the kids were wowed by the lion’s roar in the zoo’s Africa section.  The sun was beating down so they took a break in the shade. Mommy took out the snacks and turned to Daddy for the water.  His face went pale. 

Now, the zoo does sell water bottles - but their daughter's in a phase where she'll only drink from one specific Peppa Pig cup.  

Daddy shared that - perhaps - the water bottles were left behind because Mommy didn’t remind him (more than three times) to grab them. 

(*Nods* Mhm, mhm I know this situation well.)

The daughter was crushed when she learned the cup was at home.  She wanted to show her friends the Peppa Pig cup.  As they boarded the bus to conclude the trip, the daughter was so upset she started crying.  She only wanted her Mommy to comfort her.  

The Daddy realized he made a couple of mistakes today and owned up to them.  

He whispered to the Mommy “I love you,” and she turned to him - while rocking her daughter - and said “Sh, Sh, Sh,” as she extinguished the tenth fire of the day. She will, of course, forgive him... but she's not ready to let him know that just yet.

And that my friends, is how the nursery rhyme of "Wheels on the Bus" was born.

No worries,

Jaclyn