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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Reading to our kids


                               Writers don't forget to enter my query/1st chapter critique contest. Here.

Okay I had no idea what I was going to write about today, then I read this article.  My jaw literally dropped.  I couldn't believe this woman was complaining about reading to her kids. Especially after saying how much she remembered enjoying reading CHARLOTTE'S WEB with her own mother. My first thought was, WTF?!

Reading to my kids is singularly the most enjoyable part of my day.  I get to share with them the discovery of new characters, far away places, and most importantly my love of reading.

Sure, we've run into our fair share of issues. there are days I'm just too tired to read and sometimes I do skip pages. I don't exactly like some of the books they want me to read, and I DO get tired of reading the same books over and over, but for the most part, it's enjoyable.  I get to spend quality time with them. I get to see their eyes light up when I pull that worn out copy of Sleeping Beauty (for my daughter) or Bob the Builder (that's when my son was little--he doesn't want me to read with him anymore. :()

And that brings up another thing, this age doesn't last forever. They won't want you to read with them forever.  Pretty soon, reading time will be spent playing video games, or reading quietly on their own. Talking to friends.  Whatever it is they enjoy instead.

So I'm going to cherish these moments for as long as they last.  And I'm going to read to my kids, doing bad character voices, and puppet shows, and giggling at all the silly stuff until my kids beg me to stop.

And person who wrote that article, honestly, you should be ashamed of yourself. (Sorry, I know that's harsh, but it's how I feel.)  I feel sorry for your kids.  If reading to them is such a chore, why not just not do it?  Then maybe you won't ruin reading for your kids.

Comments (4)

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I don`t have any kids. But I so look forward to get my own one day. So I can sit and read to them and buy them awesome books who will change their lives :)
Unntil then I spoil my friends kids by buying them books :)

I also remember when I was a little I almost forced my little brother to listen to me while reading goodnight stories for him xD
1 reply · active 703 weeks ago
It's most def. my fav. part of being a parent. And until you get your own, your friend's kids are extremely lucky. :) Also, I DID force my brother to listen while I read him bed time stories. At the time, though, I don't think he minded. Much. He was only a wee thing and I wasn't that much bigger. LOL.
I consider it my responsibility to read to my son! I love watching him relax and look at the pictures. Even better, now he follows the words with his eyes while I read to him. I love finding books that make him giggle, and the ones that he asks for again and again because he loves them so much. We go to the library all the time just to keep him in new books. I can't wait until he's old enough for us to start some of the great chapter books I remember from my childhood.

That woman's clearly an idiot. I can only assume she doesn't like to read anything else, either, because kids' books are da bomb.

- Liz
How sad for her. I can't imagine not wanting to read with, as well as reading too, my children when they were young. Even when they were teens we would read aloud for each other taking it in turns.

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