20 Songs About Kids Growing Up

Many say parenting is the most rewarding job in the world, filled with ups and downs, happiness, joy, sadness, and more. Perhaps that is why it is so tough watching your kid grow up. Needless to say, many artists and singers have touched on this topic over the years.
Here is a collection of songs that truly express the joy of being a parent, the selfless love, its challenges, and how time passes quickly. Listen, smile, and shed some tears.
Contents
- 1. Lullaby by The Dixie Chicks
- 2. My Little Girl by Tim McGraw
- 3. Rockabye by Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul & Anne Marie
- 4. Ready, Set, Don’t Go by Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
- 5. Lions and Tigers by Sleater Kinney
- 6. Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
- 7. Beautiful Boy by John Lennon
- 8. The Mother by Brandi Carlile
- 9. In My Daughter’s Eyes by Martina McBride
- 10. Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift
- 11. There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney
- 12. My Wish by Rascal Flatts
- 13. Blessed by Elton John
- 14. A Mother’s Prayer by Céline Dion
- 15. Slow Down by Nichole Nordeman
- 16. Forever Now by Michael Bublé
- 17. 7 Years by Lukas Graham
- 18. Mama’s Song by Carrie Underwood
- 19. The Man You Have Become by No Limitz
- 20. Father & Son by Cat Stevens
- Conclusion
1. Lullaby by The Dixie Chicks
If you ever need a sweet song for entertaining your hyper kid to sleep, Lullaby by The Dixie Chicks can help you out. Is forever enough to love your child? You can never know but you are sure that nothing will ever stop you from loving them.
Lyrics that stand out!
I slip in bed when you’re asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there’ll be so much to do
So tonight, I’ll drift in a dream with you
We’ve all been there, when children finally fall asleep, they look like little angels and all your anger washes away. At that moment, you simply want to give them a tight hug.
2. My Little Girl by Tim McGraw
Here is an endearing song by the American singer, Tim McGraw, that celebrates a father’s love for his daughter. The country song reached the top three on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart when it came out in 2006.
Lyrics that stand out!
Go on, take on this old world but to me
You know you’ll always be my little girl
Whether you are nine or 75, you will always be a child in your parent’s eyes. McGraw has sung the reminder beautifully.
3. Rockabye by Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul & Anne Marie
While its title is similar to the famous nursery rhyme, the lyrics are quite stirring. The song is about a single mom who wants to give the best to her son. She endures all sorts of hardships in order to provide for her child.
Lyrics that stand out!
Now she gotta a six year old
Trying to keep him warm
Trying to keep all the cold
When he looks her in the eyes
He don’t know he’s safe
“Rockabye” is an ode to all the single moms out there doing their best and striving forward for the sake of their children. It is funny how such an upbeat song can bring tears to your eyes.
4. Ready, Set, Don’t Go by Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
“Ready, Set, Don’t Go” is a country song by american singers Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus that was released in 2007. Billy Ray wrote the song for his daughter several years prior to its release when she was leaving the town to start her acting career.
Lyrics that stand out!
Looks like she’s all ready to leave
Nothing left to pack
There ain’t no room for me in that car
Even if she asked me to tag along
The song explains how hard it is for a parent to see their children leaving the nest forever. They are ready to conquer the big old world, and a parent yearns to hold them back, but deep down they understand that it won’t be right.
5. Lions and Tigers by Sleater Kinney
It was a wonderful feeling when my son uttered his first words. The funny pronunciations and broken words melted my heart. I wanted to teach him everything. “Lions and Tigers” by Sleater-Kinney capture that essence.
Lyrics that stand out!
I’d like to show you a million things
I’d like to make the world for you a better place
The song came out in 2002 and it narrates a few wishes of every parent. They want to show their children the world but also hope for it to be a better place for them to grow up. Things like playing in the rain with boots on to how animals behave. It’s quite a simple and sweet song on parenthood.
6. Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
The timeless song is written and sung by Stevie Wonder when his daughter was born. Newborn babies are the world’s sweetest things, and they have the power to leave you in awe. Their tiny limbs, innocent features, and loud wails amaze you.
Lyrics that stand out!
Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she wonderful?
Isn’t she precious? Less than one minute old
The birth of the baby is a strangely beautiful time for a parent. The fear of lifelong responsibility is forgotten when you cradle the baby in your arms for the first time.
7. Beautiful Boy by John Lennon
Written and performed by John Lennon, the song was released on his last album “Double Fantasy” before his death. The song is dedicated to his son, Sean. In the beginning, Lennon is comforting his son after he wakes up from a nightmare. Later, Lennon describes his joy of being a father to his son.
Lyrics that stand out!
Out on the ocean sailing away,
I can hardly wait,
To see you to come of age
As a parent, we all want the best for our children. We want them to grow up into successful and kind people.
8. The Mother by Brandi Carlile
Being a mom is not an easy task. It is a 24/7 job. No matter how frustrated you feel or how sick you are, you can never stop being a mother once your child is here in the world.
Lyrics that stand out!
The first things that she took from me were selfishness and sleep
She broke a thousand heirlooms I was never meant to keep
“The Mother” by Brandi Carlile sweetly describes motherhood. You are no longer ‘you’ – things that were important before are no longer your priority. Instead, it is your child who has wrapped you around their fingers.
9. In My Daughter’s Eyes by Martina McBride
Reaching number 54 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles, “In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride came out in 2003. The song is about a mother rediscovering herself from her daughter’s point of view.
Lyrics that stand out!
I see who I want to be
In my daughter’s eyes
Children look up to their parents. For a kid, a parent is a hero who can go to any length for them. They are their idols and this factor can mold you as a person.
10. Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift
When it comes to personal ballads and country vibes, Taylor Swift sure knows how to hit the chord. “Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift is a sweet country song exploring themes like Peter Pan, the joy of being a child and a wonder of being a parent.
Lyrics that stand out!
You’re in the car on the way to the movies
And you’re mortified your mom’s dropping you off
At fourteen, there’s just so much you can’t do
And you can’t wait to move out
Someday and call your own shots
Kids can’t wait to grow up, and parents never want to let go. The song talks about both perspectives.
11. There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney
If you’ve had your child unexpectedly early, this song is for you. It talks about a father who realizes that his life has now completely changed and the things he used to do are no longer possible. This is a song that will make you cry, but it’s also one that will make you feel hopeful for the future.
Lyrics that stand out!
A couple years of up all night and
Few thousand diapers later
That mistake he thought he made
Covers up the refrigerator
Oh yea, he loves that little girl
This track will remind parents how quickly their kids grow up, and to cherish every moment. Chesney’s song is from the perspective of a father who wasn’t expecting to have a child so early on in his life but does everything he can to ensure that she has the best future possible.
12. My Wish by Rascal Flatts
Parents can ultimately relate to this song, as it’s all about wanting the best for their children and hoping that they have a happy life. It’s a song that will make you think about everything you’ve done as a parent and how you just want the best for your kids.
Lyrics that stand out!
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
Rascal Flatts sings about what every parent wishes for their child. Seeing them happy and succeeding in life is all that any parent could ask for. In addition, the vocals are extremely enjoyable.
13. Blessed by Elton John
A father’s love for his child is unbreakable, and this song is the perfect way to describe it. It talks about how a father will always be there, no matter what happens in life. This is a song that will make you feel grateful for the relationship you have with your own father.
Lyrics that stand out!
I need you before I’m too old
To have and to hold
To walk with you and watch you grow
And know that you’re blessed
Nothing is more important to a father than his children, and this song is the perfect way to show it. Elton John sings about a father’s love being unbreakable, and how it will never fade away despite any circumstances.
14. A Mother’s Prayer by Céline Dion
This song is from a mother’s perspective, and it’s all about the things she wishes for her child. Moms always want the best for their kids, and this song is a beautiful way to express that.
Lyrics that stand out!
Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she’ll be safe
This song will have you tearing up but in the best way possible. Céline Dion is a master at tugging on heartstrings, and this song is no exception. If you’re looking for a song that perfectly sums up the emotions of a mother, you’ve found it.
15. Slow Down by Nichole Nordeman
Witnessing her child grow is a mom’s greatest joy, but it can also be bittersweet. Kids growing up too fast is a common complaint from parents, and this song captures that feeling perfectly. Nordeman’s lyrics are both sweet and sad, and they’ll strike a chord with anyone who has ever felt like time is moving too fast.
Lyrics that stand out!
But it’s all too fast
Let’s make it last a little while
I pointed to the sky and now you wanna fly
I am your biggest fan
I hope you know I am
But do you think you can somehow
Slow down
This is a song that will make you smile and cry at the same time. It’s a beautiful reminder to slow down and enjoy the moments with the people we love because they’ll outgrow us before we know it.
16. Forever Now by Michael Bublé
Nothing stays the same forever, a child growing up is a perfect example of that. Michael Bublé’s “Forever Now” is a song about how quickly time flies and how important it is to cherish the moments you have with your little ones.
Lyrics that stand out!
You know that you’re the one that we’ve been waiting for
We’re gonna keep you safe
First I held you in my arms
I knew I’d love you all the way
It’s sure to give you all the feels, so if you’re looking for a song to help you through the tough times of watching your kids grow up, this is a great choice.
17. 7 Years by Lukas Graham
As kids grow up, parents tend to think if their children will be there when they’re old and gray. This song by Lukas Graham will make you think about growing old with the ones you love. It’s a beautiful song with a great message, and it’s sure to hit home with anyone who is watching their kids grow up.
Lyrics that stand out!
Soon, I’ll be 60 years old, will I think the world is cold?
Or will I have a lot of children who can hold me?
Soon, I’ll be 60 years old
Being a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it can also be difficult at times. This song captures those conflicting emotions perfectly. Parenthood will make you feel like you’re on top of the world one minute and the next you’ll be wondering where the time went.
18. Mama’s Song by Carrie Underwood
If your daughter is to be wed soon, this song is a great pick! Carrie Underwood’s “Mama’s Song” is all about a mother giving her daughter away to the man she loves. It’s a bittersweet moment, but also a happy one, as the mother knows her daughter is starting a new chapter in her life.
Lyrics that stand out!
Mama, there’s no way you’ll ever lose me
Giving me away is not goodbye
As you watch me walk down to my future
I hope tears of joy are in your eyes
Giving away a child is never easy, no matter how old they are. But it’s a time to be happy for them, as they start a new phase in their lives.
19. The Man You Have Become by No Limitz
In this song, a father looks back at his son’s life and is proud of the man he has become. It’s a touching moment between father and son, as the father watches all the things he’s taught him pay off.
Lyrics that stand out!
Just when I tell you I couldn’t be more proud
Than I am right now
You go and do it again
So glad that you’re my son
Keep being the man you have become
Being a parent is always a proud moment, no matter how old your child is. Seeing them succeed and do great things is what it’s all about.
20. Father & Son by Cat Stevens
This song is about a son leaving home and the father letting him go. It’s a sad but beautiful song, as the father realizes that his son is growing up and has to make his own way in the world.
Lyrics that stand out!
It’s not time to make a change
Just relax, take it easy
You’re still young, that’s your fault
There’s so much you have to know
Find a girl, settle down
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy
Everybody leaves home at one point or another. And it’s always a tough moment for the parents, as they have to let their children go and make their own way in the world. This song really captures that feeling.
Conclusion
Many songs can sum up the feelings of watching your child grow up. Many different artists have touched on the subject and produced incredible songs. All the songs mentioned are very emotional and many will likely find themselves within the lyrics of some of them.