By some (a lot of) standards, I think that I would receive a failing grade on reading books. Both to my kids and on my own. I don't read to my kids. I very very rarely read to my kids. I know! It's terrible. I'm a homeschool mom. I love books. My second job ever (and my longest held job) was in a library. I loved it!!! I still love to be in a library surrounded by books. So why don't I read to my kids? Why don't I take the time to read and enjoy a book on my own? I guess it would be a matter of priorities? Or lack of priorities. Whatever the cause I want to change it.
On my 101 Things in 1001 Days List I have reading to myself and reading to my kids as items I want to have established as regular activities in our home, by the end of the 1001 days. I think April is the month to start this. I would like an hour of shared reading happening in our home each day. Then (and I know this is getting a little lofty) I'd like another half to one hour of individual reading. That's too much for the month of April, so I'll take it one step at a time.
In April, we are going to read together. I will get each child to pick one book. I will read each book aloud. On average I can see this taking about a half hour. Then, as long as they are interested I will get the older two girls to read to us too. Now that they know how they need to practice. Another suggestion or option for this hour is for us to continue on with The Magic Treehouse series.
As part of this month's focus watch for posts such as Book It On Friday and Spring Reading Thing 2009 - here and at Callapidder Days.
1 comment:
I love books too, but when it comes to the reading to the kids it rarely happens. For us it's a matter of dynamics. I sit down to read a book and then some catastrophe happens in another room within minutes...so I have to stop reading and sometimes never get back to it. Both the child and I find this really frustrating.
And Bible reading: I think God understands. He has blessed you with all of these children and He knows how much work it is to care for them. There are other things you can do besides actually sitting down for 30-45 minutes and reading the Bible. I know that's not what "They" say, but "They" don't have a housefull of kids.
Read a devotion and meditate on it throughout the day. Teach your kids the Ten Commandments. Listen to a radio teaching. Pray while in the shower. God will bless your efforts.
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