When your parents become grandparents, you can often see an interesting transformation. What was denied or even forbidden to one’s own children back then looks completely different for the grandchildren.
Sweets for example. As many adults born into the green movement of the 1980s might remember, sweets were strictly rationed. Sugar, ugh, bad. When the grandchildren come onto the floor, they are quickly slipped a lollipop, hidden a gummy bear in the doll’s house, or put a piece of chocolate in their mouth. Hurry, before Mom and Dad find out.
The no-gos of my own childhood and youth also included some rewritten children’s songs. So you’re there like thunderstruck when your own child suddenly sings a song that’s actually on the black list. At the top: “The deer pee quietly in Lake Starnberg, it’s pollution, but the deer enjoy it.” Next is thundered: “We come from the blue mountains, our teacher is just as stupid as we are!”
Where did the kid get that from? It must have come from kindergarten. Definitely from big Stefan, the one from preschool! You’re almost ready to get angry, but the kid rocks on, throwing his head forward: “You idiot, you idiot, you idiot, you idiot, you idiot, you idiot, you idiot, look at yourself.”
Something is dawning. Isn’t that a Haindling song? And isn’t Haindling Grandpa’s favorite band? The child freely admits it: “Yes, of course, grandpa showed me that! Funny, right?” Yes, grandpa… what can you say. Haven’t grandparents always enjoyed the privilege of stepping out of line?
Do you really have to intervene, even if you risk being looked at crookedly in kindergarten? Before you can find an answer for yourself, the next hit comes – and that in a deeply pacifist home: “A little man is standing in the woods, very still and silent. A German tank comes and knocks him over. Thanks to the German Bundeswehr, there are no more little men…” Ok, that’s enough for now. That song, we really prefer to only sing it at home.