Hard Time Reading for a Long Time…

Hey Cindy!

I love when you talk about reading to your children. I know you have told us that it is ok to read smaller amounts, but we are not getting the full story when it is broken up so much. It is not because the kids cannot pay attention. It has been because I have a hard time reading for a long time myself. Today I woke up with a sore throat! Is there something I can do to read longer? How do you make this work?

Thanks!

And, I love the site! It is easy for me to find my way around. Thanks for all the hard work to change it up. I love it.

Blessings to you and your family,
Molly

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FROM CINDY…
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Hey Molly!

This is a super question. Thanks for taking the time to ask. I love talking about this one! 🙂

First of all, you are wise in wanting to make this work. You are going to love the sweet memories that you are building through your time reading with your children. It is SO worth it. We have a storehouse of precious, precious memories from the years and years of reading as a family. It is one of the things that I would DEFINITELY do again–in fact, probably make MORE time to do!

Secondly, you won’t always be where you are today. I don’t remember how old your children are at this time. It was a bit tiring until my children were able to help me take turns reading. The good news is that up until that time, they also enjoy many of the picture books that are lighter reading and have more pictures. So, if the children are little, make time for those fun books. It will help you to read the “full story” in a little bit of time.

I read all of the time about people discrediting the value of those little books. Many call them twaddle. Some of them can be (and should not be the full mental diet as your children grow up) but, there is more that you are teaching when you read a book than just vast and deep thoughts. You are also teaching your children the value of making time for your family. You are making sweet memories. You are storing away a treasury of laughter. You are making “friends’ with characters in the book. You are traveling to far away places in your mind–together! At this season, I have a whole storehouse of sweet, sweet memories.

I am editing audios for our Back to School Blast 2008 right now while I write you back. It is neat how I was just editing the audio by my son (he is now 21 and on his own) and he was asked what his favorite thing about homeschooling was. Do you know what he said? He said it was the “cuddle-cuddle times” when we cuddled up with great books and read together. He specifically mentioned how fun it was to have the different “voices” of the characters.

Molly, don’t look at reading as a certain TIME you have to put in to “do it right” for school. Get all of those expectations out of your mind. That was my greatest hindrance when my children were little.

Instead, be a family! Enjoy TIME with your little ones. Think of reading with them as TIME with them. Sure! Pick the best books, but at this season, if they are little and cannot help you read, choose the ones that are fun and easy for you.

Now, if they are old enough to read with you. Let them take turns with you. Not only does it help to save your voice and help you to read longer, but it is wonderful practice for your new readers.

My children LOVED “helping” me read. They actually got in trouble a few times for arguing over WHO WOULD READ NEXT! ha! (now that is a FUNNY memory!)

We got into a groove that was nice. I remember when Elisabeth began reading aloud and taking turns with us. She would begin our read alouds with the Bible passage for the day. Then, we all took turns reading together, especially on days when I did not feel too good or had a sore throat.

I loved hearing them read aloud. I didn’t make it a stressful SCHOOL TIME. We had read alouds at night before bed. Yes, I did record it in my record-keeper, but I did not “grade” or “evaluate” any of that time. We just LIVED. We read as friends. We made memories. We tied heart-strings. We were a FAMILY!

What a great way to build up, yet have unconditional grace. I really think that this is how God designed for it to be! 🙂

It was neat to hear them read aloud. They always read with the same expression and emphasis as me. They got better and better.

I highly recommend taking turns reading as your children get older. It is simply too precious to hear them read aloud!

Oh, I am excited for you! You have many treasures coming to you! Soooo, have fun! Enjoy!

These lessons are the foundation of an education that God has planned for your family. It gets better and better and better! Enjoy!

With much love,
Cindy