Each
summer I look forward to the uninterrupted days that stretch before me. When I
first began teaching I would spend my summers in solitude, picking the things I
wanted to do. My summers were shaped by times of leisure, working on my
classrooms, reading, and more. Then I had Luke, followed by Liam. Summers
became less about me, more about them. I had to change my routine to fit the
needs of growing children.
Fast forward to the beginnings of summer 2012. Luke is nine, soon to be ten, and will be entering fourth grade in the fall. Liam has just turned seven this spring and is entering second grade in the fall. When we’ve talked about this summer together we’ve discussed little league practices and games. Swim lessons, swim team practices and meets. Vacations, play dates, and sleepovers.
Throughout
all of our conversations about summer, one item has remained consistent,
reading. We’ve talked about the summer camp I am running on Tuesdays that they
will both be a part of. We’ve talked about my summer reading goals – #bookaday.
We’ve talked about what books they are eagerly waiting to purchase and add to
their collections.
I think
this is one of the things I have most look forward to in being a parent -
helping my children love reading. Developing that addiction could be tough.
Looking back at my own life, where did it come from? I had parents who love
reading. Both have books on their bedside tables. Both read before bedtime each
night. Books were always given freely and were frequent gifts at Christmas. The
library was a place of worship. While my sister and brother aren’t as obsessed
with reading as I am, I would still consider them readers. (Even though my brother
is not enjoying Hunger Games – how is that even possible?)
So with
my own children I’ve read to them constantly. Their rooms are overflowing with
books. We discuss books, attend author events, make frequent trips to the
bookstore. More importantly, I think, Chris and I are reading role models for
them. I expect them to read but also support them where they are. Luke has
always been a good reader. Liam had to work hard at it, but that work has paid
off.
So, as I
sit here and type this morning the house is filled with silence. At 7:30 on a
Sunday morning, four of the five of us (counting the dog) are up. I’ve been
reading The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. (Wow, an intense
book that I’m adoring.) Liam is sitting next to me on his fourth Babymouse book
since yesterday afternoon. Luke is stretched out in the living room reading
Babymouse as well. And Bally (our dog), well she’s just being lazy on the
floor. To me, this is the perfect picture of summer. Endless reading days stretched
ahead of us.
