Over the weekend (thankfully BEFORE I got sick), the kidlets and I went to a family birthday party. Husband was off working and so we were free to party it up.
Well, this party went from a 9yo's birthday with pinata bashing to Glee Karaoke Revolution and ended with a very, very high spirited game of Catchphrase - like Charades, but where you can talk as well, you just can't say the "catchphrase."
Anyway, during this game, one of the catchphrases that came up was BEDTIME STORY. After the clues were solved for this one, my nephew (cousin's 15yo son), said "Mom, you never read us bedtime stories."
My cousin just shot her son a look. You know the one, that Mom-look? Yeah, that one.
Nephew then said, "It's okay, though. Reading is boring."
I nearly dropped the drink in my hand as I just stared at him. It was like a moment where everything around me just went eerie and quiet and I didn't even know what to say because . . . OMG THAT IS BLASPHEMY! HOW COULD HE SAY SUCH A THING?????
I get that reading's not everyone's fave activity. I do, really. Like Husband? He's a very specific kind of book guy, otherwise, he's a magazine guy all the way. BUT, he will always read to the kidlets and always supports them in their reading (or attempts at it - they are only 3 & 6, after all).
When I was little, my parents weren't really read-to-me types. One reason: English is not their first language and they had a hard enough time with general communication, let alone trying to understand all the nuances in children's storybooks. BUT, they were ALWAYS supportive of my reading, taking me to the library whenever I wanted to go, even signing me up for those kids' book of the month clubs.
And now, both Husband and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that our kidlets enjoy books. That in most cases, they'd rather read a few pages of Harry Potter together than watch the movie. (It may have something to do with 3yo being afraid of Voldemort, aka "The Flat Nose Guy.") But still.
Okay, I'll get off my ranty soap box now. But a quick question for you guys: How have you guys fostered reading with the kids around you, whether they are your own or just ones you borrow from time to time?
7 comments:
Very thankful that my daughter LOVES to read and my son is getting more and more into it. He's all about the genre. :O)
My sister-in-law wasn't a huge reader when she and my brother got married. But we've always been voracious readers in our family. So my brother's been one to really get her into the reading thing. She's still pretty picky about her books so if I get her a book, it's usually one that I've read and know she'll enjoy.
They have two sons, 5 and almost 2. Pretty much how I am turning them into readers (though they're well on their way because of their dad) is that I'm the crazy aunt who only gives books as gifts. Yeah. Birthdays and Christmas, they get a book. That was rather interesting this year as I stood in B&N's kid section looking at those early readers trying to figure out which level my oldest nephew would be. I finally broke down and called my sister-in-law.
Oh god, I can't imagine reading ever as boring. (Except those tedious college textbooks maybe.) My friends that have kids, I always make sure that I give books as part of their bday/Christmas presents and when the time comes for me to have kids, you bet your butt they'll be reading.
I love reading to my kids, but my parents never read to me. It took me a long time to love books, because I had to discover them on my own. I sure my kids love to read as much as I do.
My Grandma used to read to my sister and me. It was the highlight of every vist!
I can hardly comprehend the thought of reading being boring! All my kids are big time readers. In fact, I have sometimes had to forbid them from reading just to get them to be a little more active!
Oh, that IS blasphemy! Poor dude. I totally foster reading in other people's kids. B-day gift? Book. Graduation? Book. Scouts? Sick? Circumcision? Book. Book. Book. Okay, maybe not that last one. ;)
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