An Ode to Greg Wiggle
I'll admit it. I heard the news that Greg Wiggle, er, Greg Page, was leaving the Wiggles and I was really bummed. Sure, I'm about to turn 27. I mean, 37. Of course, the Wiggles are for kids. My own first impression of the toddler megagroup was one of disdain. And yeah -- I know this is relatively old news about Page's departure, but I've only now been given the opportunity to vent on a global scale.
But here's the thing. I got hooked on the Wiggles for at least a year. My son absolutely adored the Wiggles. Knew every simplistic song by heart. Did all the dances. And so did I. The things you'll do when you become a parent. But the joy that he got from watching the Wiggles was enough to suck me in. In time, it no longer seemed strange that four grown Australian men were singing songs about fruit salad along with a pirate and a dinosaur named Dorothy. In fact, my husband paid more money than I care to know about to take our son to the Wiggles show.
Then came the news last November. Greg, the lead singer of the lovable bunch, was quitting the Wiggles due to health reasons. That's like U2 without Bono. The Stones without Jagger. Replacing him is Sam Moran, some dude with an opera voice that has made several appearances on Wiggles DVDs (of which we have several). Hopefully, toddlers all over the world are recovering better than I am.
But seriously, I look around the alternatives for kids music and there are many choices, but few stand up to the Wiggles' catchy music, silly dance moves and all-around fun. I know the Doodlebops have their fans, but really? Two guys and a woman covered in face paint? They have nice voices but their wigs are downright scary. And what about the Imagination Movers, those cool guys with the two-minute videos on Playhouse Disney that sing about cleaning their rooms and saying "please" and "thank you?" Cute tunes, nice message, but they are all dressed like Beastie Boy wannabes. I'm thinking my next kid music investment might be a Dan Zanes CD. He's musically talented, he clearly loves kids, and he's got a hipness factor that eluded even my precious Wiggles.
Cheers to you, Greg, I wish you good health. I shall miss your lovely voice and the way your mouth curls up ever so weirdly when you sing. Happy wiggling, mate.
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
Joy Oglesby has a preschooler...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters.
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby. 
South Florida Parenting is your guide for local events and things to do with your family. Our site offers resources, features and insightful columns on all types of parenting issues.
Parents and their children can access a multitude of free educational resources.