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Home › Diaries › Heather › November 14, 2000

Heather's Diary Entries

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November 14, 2000

To read, or not to read

Since Claire's birth, I have attempted to read to her. Every day. She (until very recently) has had little interest in books, except in eating the pages. As an avid reader and huge fan of books in general, this saddened me. "What if she hates books?" I often thought. "What if she never lets me read to her?" For the past 14 or so months, these thoughts have plagued me. I couldn't imagine raising a child without special story times and bookshelves filled with delectable stories of fairies, cowboys and cows jumping over the moon. No bedtime adventures in Never-Never Land, no waiting excitedly under the covers for the next chapter of Little Women. I was actually starting to get nervous. I have a girlfriend whose son has been bringing her books to read to him since he was big enough to pick them up. I wanted Claire to be like that. She wasn't. She wanted to hug and kiss her baby dolls, or maybe wrestle with her daddy before bed. ( NOT the sleepy-time ritual I had in mind!) I began to think I had done something wrong. Maybe I should have read to her while she was still in my womb. Maybe I should have read to her as an infant whether she liked it or not. Maybe, I was just a lousy parent who didn't try hard enough. I didn't know what the answer was and was ready to throw in the towel.

Then, suddenly, to my utter delight, Claire decided she liked being read to!!!!! It started small, without my noticing at first, and built up to the point where she insists on being read to practically every minute of the day!!! She loves "Good Night Moon," "Hop on Pop" (believe it or not!) and "I Love You Little One," (that one has pictures she really enjoys). So, finally, the day has come! Claire enjoys her books and being read to. Sometimes, I even find her off in a corner somewhere, looking at a book, jabbering to herself in a silly voice. (much like the one I read to her in) I can rest easy now, knowing that it was time she needed, not my forcing her to like books. WHEW!

While I'm on this particular subject, I'd like to publicly thank my fifth grade teacher, Sister Marie, for never discouraging my reading, (except during class time)only ENCOURAGING me to continue on in my quest for knowledge, information and the occasional fantasy. In doing that, she has inspired another generation of readers. My child being one of them. So, to her and all other favorite teachers everyone of us has, THANK YOU!!!! And, our children thank you.

Until next week,

Heather and she who enjoys all things book related, Claire Eleanor



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