Today we began our summer reading program. Now I must admit, unlike me, my kids are NOT a fan of reading. It KILLS me. What did I do? Where did I go wrong? When I was their age, I was a reading fool. I was the kid who took a flashlight to bed to sneak in more reading time. When my Granny died I distinctly remember hearing the news and then frantically running to find my book so I didn't have to deal with the pain- so I could escape. I just don't get not loving to read.
So this summer I have decided to do something different. Instead of telling the kids to "GO READ!!!", I have decided to establish a family reading hour and we started today. As soon as I put Keiran down for his afternoon nap, I called the kids to go get their books and the two middles and I sat in my nice cool, calm bedroom with no kid distractions and we all read together for an hour. It was heaven. I didn't hear one complaint- not one argument from either of them. Then when the hour was up I asked them how it was and if it was something they could commit to doing with me everyday and they didn't even bat an eye at the idea.
I must admit I am writing this a few days after we started our program and it is still going great! I look forward to this quiet time everyday with my kids and I think they are actually enjoying it too.
So maybe if you all keep track online of everything they read and/or wish to read it will add to the experience. I list everything on Good Reads and it is fun to go back and look. And for the years I am in competitive mod its fun to see the number creep over 100. Maybe the kids can try for 10 for the summer?
Posted by: Mary Ann | June 20, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Love this post--I remember summer "reading" days as a kid! And btw we have the same bedding!
Posted by: ashley | June 21, 2010 at 10:26 PM