“ You can find magic wherever you look, sit back and relax, all you need is a book.”
Dr. Seuss
Reading to our kids is one of my favorite things to do together! Having them snuggle in and listen to book after book, makes my heart so happy!
My husband and I have always really enjoyed reading books to our kids, and what we have learned is that it really builds their language and speech especially when you start them early. There are so many studies out there about reading to your child. One study done by healthline.com talks about not only language development, it also helps with creativity, bonding, compassion, helps to extend attention spans, and teaches them other life lessons. All together you are really doing your kids and yourself a favor by reading them books.
It really is fun most of the time. Now there are times that I can not read the same book for the 4th or 14th time in that one sitting! That we told them we “lost” the book. There are times you have to force yourself to read, it doesn’t always come easy. Sometimes we just want to watch a show, and shut off our minds. That is ok! Give yourself some grace. You don’t have to constantly read your kids books, just shoot for a few a day at first. Usually we find once we read one book we end up reading more. We are not perfect, and there are no “perfect” parents out there. Or at least I have not met them yet!! If you think you know the “perfect” parent..you probably don’t know their whole story. In our world of social media its easy to think that there are parents out there that everything comes easy too, and those perfect family pictures… ugh… lets be honest, the kids where probably getting yelled at or on the verge of throwing a tantrum right before or right after that photo.
Reading can be done in any location, at any time, and on most devices! I still prefer for myself the actual book in my hands, but you do you! We even listen to audiobooks on car rides through our library app , so its FREE! We really enjoy going to the library and picking out books with the kids, and of course playing at the libraries! I feel that a lot of people forget about libraries and they are really very beneficial for all ages. Most even have activities for little ones! We love the libraries around us because, the children’s areas have lot of toys, and other kids that they can interact with, while you get some much needed time to sit back and enjoy watching them have fun.. Bonus you can read while they play!
Along with reading to the kids, my husband and I also love to read books. I have to admit there was a long time in my life I was not interested in taking the time to read, but in the times when I did read, I really enjoyed it. Thanks to my husbands example ,I usually read a couple books a month now, sometimes less of course depending on schedule and tiredness. My favorite time to read is when I finally get to lay down in bed at night. I love to cozy up with my book and read until I can’t keep my eyes open anymore. This is my way of shutting off my thinking, worrying, and planning brain. Which I think all moms struggle with! This is also when the house is quiet!!
“ We read in bed because reading is halfway between life and dreaming.” – Anna Quindlen
My husband shared that he once read, that reading to a child is very beneficial, but letting them see you enjoy reading really helps them find their love for reading. When they see parents reading they pick up on that que. So much of childhood is seeing and copying, ( remember those accidental bad words you said when you stubbed your toe, and then your child said them later.. yeah me too) ,so if we want our kids to read and enjoy books they need to see us doing that too. Actions speak louder then words!!!
If you need any book or author recommendations for yourself, here are a few of mine right now.
- Lisa Scottoline
- Marie Benedict
- Colleen Hoover
- JK Rowling
- Rachel Hollis
- Mitch Albom
Kids books, as I said earlier, can be not so great when you read them over and over and over and over again.. I think I made my point there. 🙂 This is where the library comes into play. We check out so many different books and if we do not like them.. Well luckily you have to return what you check out! The kids have learned so much through books and even have expanded their vocabulary mostly for the good… there is one book that I got from the library that they got to learn the word “Nincompoop” … Yup and then they decided it was hilarious of course and started to yell it back and forth at bedtime from their rooms…”Hey Daisy, guess what … Nincompoop”- said David… que in lots of belly laughs! Thanks to that book, I have this beautiful memory of my children laughing.
Here are other resources you can use if you want to expand your library at home or are looking for a book to give as a gift (which is our favorite gift to give)!
Thriftbooks.com, imaginationlibrary.com, amazon.com, and my really favorite spot to get books- Thrift stores, public libraries sometimes sell books for cheap, and some communities have community library boxes where you can take a book and leave one if you choose.
Thrift stores have amazingly new looking books!! Best part is they are usually ranging in price from 25 cents to 1 dollar and bonus – you are helping recycle those books! How can you beat that?
So to wrap up on my 3 part article on parenting fun, I would just like to send out some love to all parents!
What I really want you to take out of these posts is that being a parent is hard, and beautiful at the same time. As I heard from a patient of mine “ It’s a beautiful shit show”. Do your best and give yourself grace.. so much GRACE!! As long as you are loving them and taking care of their needs, you are doing a great job!! Keep it up and know there are others out there that are just trying to do their best too! Pray for other parents who are struggling, succeeding, or just getting by. We got this!!!
-Kristy