Shortly after my daughter was born, I made up a little tune that I sang to her. Actually, tune is flattery; ditty would be better. It consists of a mere two bars (or measures, as I just found out they're called in the US), and if sung in D major, would read as follows:
(My lack of perfect pitch means that I don't know whether I'm singing it in D major, and indeed the key probably changes from one rendition to the next.)
For some unknown reason, no matter what's upsetting her, singing this ditty to her over and over again seems to mesmerise her, and her tears always turn to smiles immediately. The more tearful she is, the faster I sing it. And it never fails to work.
Give it a go on your own children, and let me know whether it's my dulcet voice or the tune itself thats working miracles. Or my easily-pleased daughter.
