I’ve always loved to read. As a kid, I would devour books nightly as the rest of my family lay sound asleep, barely keeping my eyes open the next day at school. I have fond memories of my mom tearing up as Charlotte took her last breaths and recognizing my brother and I in Judy Blume’s The Pain and the Great One. I simply could not get enough. Reading something I want my children to value as well, and I really want to love reading to them. But, lately, they’re making it pretty damn tough.
Our evening reading routine begins with the Great Battle of the Books. Lily and Ben each pick out two books and immediately compare the lengths of them. If one is deemed longer, thicker or somehow superior, the chorus of “not fairs” commences. It’s another five minutes before the ultimate choices are settled on. Then we need to choose a location: Lily’s Room where Ben is not allowed on the bed or Ben’s where Lily fusses the whole time. Finally situated on the floor somewhere, there are fights over just how much lap each is allotted. There is pushing, screaming and hair pulling until everyone is settled in. Once I open the book, I’m accused of skipping pages if I don’t read the the very first words. Published by Simon & Schuster, I begin with a sigh. And on to the story. “Wait, go back!” and “that’s not what it says” and “let me see that again!” echo again and again. Can I just please read the book, I sigh countless times.
Once we finish one book, the same routine continues with the others. And, finally, story time draws to a close. Thank goodness. Inevitably I’m asked to read the same ones again, and the answer is always a resounding no. Until the next night when the fun begins all over.
I really love to read. At least, I thought I did.
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So it gets worse???!!! I am currently plagued by two year old twins who have to point to pictures on the page and say the word over and over and over…because apparently everyone wants the last word. Even when the word is “truck” or “potty.” And god forbid they aren’t paying attention and notice that they missed their chance to fight over pointing and saying words – then we simply must skip back and pick up where THEY left off. Sadly, telling them to get over it and too bad so sad, don’t roll around on the floor playing with matchbox cars next time is not an option. Bedtime is exhausting. No wonder I sometimes fall asleep with my four year old in his toddler bed.
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Um I completely feel you! My 3 are the same way. We argue over books…book lengths..how many. Then while reading they want to ask a million questions or the youngest is climbing on us…it’s nearly enough to make me crazy.
There are many reasons why I know my DIL is a good Mommy but…the times my little toddler grandchildren go pick up books off my book shelves and then come in backwards to sit on my lap for me to read to them…let’s me know that their Mommy reads to them often!
My grand daughter is not yet two and holds a book like a treasure and when she sits in my lap while I read to her…I feel like the richest Gigi on the planet!
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I’d be a horribly mean mother and say “If you continue to argue, I’m going to pick books, that I want to hear.” Then I’d read the dictionary. But then, this is why I’m not a mother ;-)
Published by Simon & Schuster…..hah, funny! You read them the copyright too? lol.
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I am a total book whore. No kidding.
I alternate with my 5-year-olds picking the books, it has seemed to work with only minor scuffles so far.
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You know, Kaishon really likes me to read that stupid first page too : ). The one where they say where the book is published etc. HELLO! That is boring! But not to Kaish : ). I try to read him a story book when I am waking him up in the morning. That way he has a happy start to his day. Versus me SCREAMING to scamper down the stairs and out to the car because we are late : ).
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I love reading to my children, but can’t stand any of the battles over who’s closest to me, who can see the book better, etc. Luckily, for us, those battles are starting to turn into petty skirmishes as my older children are learning to read. I hope they love to read as much as I do.
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My girls (5&3) LOVE Charlotte’s Web but I won’t read it anymore because it started the 5 year old thinking about the mortality of her paternal grandfather. YIKES! I didn’t see that coming!
Having 3 kids who all think they own my lap, and who also accuse me of skipping pages if I don’t read all the junk in there… I have a strict rule that if they put up too much of a fuss, they get a couple of warnings, I’ll stop reading and simply tuck them in. I’ve only had to do it once. Location isn’t usually an issue for us, but is reading in the living room on the couch a possibility?
I read one story. ONE. The three older kids take turns picking out a story or if we have library books, I’ll pick one of those. Then it’s hugs and kisses, blankets, lights out, and don’t bother Mommy anymore – she’s off duty. OK. That last part seldom works out, but that’s what we’re aiming for!
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This is funny…when my boys couldn’t read yet…I would actually skip pages to end the (nightmare) joy of reading to them before bed. And I love to read! Since they are twins I think they came pre programmed to take turns better so we would go every other night with their pick. Now they read to each other and on their own and go to bed nearly 30 minutes early every night to do so. So hang in there…the love of reading is really going to pay off soon if you play your cards right.
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I love reading. My parents read to me a lot when I was little. *laugh* Now I am a writer myself! Reading is one of the best things you can do for your kids.
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Maybe they should have a separate story time until they’re a little bit older?
My kids are 11 & 14. When they were young, once I tucked them in, they were allowed to stay up in their bed and read. Of course I did not let them stay up all hours, but they have both turned into readers. Both are reading adult books right now, which can be a challenge trying to find them with appropriate topics for an 11 year old. My 14 year boy old is reading “Angels & Demons” (the sequel to the Divini Code) and my 11 year old daughter is reading “The Death & Life of Charlies St. Cloud”.
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