bjnicholson

You must be thrilled! I know the feeling. I dispaired of my older son ever learning to read. Then one day when he was 13 or 14 (he's 47 now) he showed his dad an article in a magazine that he had been reading! I almost fell out of my chair because I had never seen him pick up any book or magazine. Who knew?

Rose L

My son found reading when he was in the third grade. I couldn't keep the books coming fast enough. He read over 300 books that year, simple third grade level books to start with and then harder books as the year progressed. I was so happy and so proud that he had found a new love that would be good for him for life.

In the fourth grade he had a mean old woman of a teacher who would not let him read the books of his choosing and he came home each day so distressed and upset. So I went to visit the teacher to discuss what was going on. I told her how unhappy my son was and that he had told me that she wouldn't let him choose his own books. She quickly replied that was correct. I was then upset because she said that children his age were too young to know what they liked to read and that it was her job to introduce them to all types of literature. I felt she was wrong up to a certain point and told her she was ruining it for him. After all the books he had read the year before and she just said, "I'm the teacher". She would not budge or compromise on the issue at all. Well, I was right and she was wrong. My son has never read another book to this day. He no longer liked reading when she got done with him. Even when I got books for him that he would have enjoyed he would not read them because he was angry over reading. He barely finished high school though he finally did graduate in the end. It really saddens me because I now feel like she destroyed his future. He refused to go to college and he now works at hard labor for his lively hood. I pray no one ever destroys your son's love for reading.

Leota

How does a mom respond to that???? "Buckle your seat belt so you CAN expand your knowledge base."

SharBear

Love it! I have two boys ages 10 and 9; they know that Mom will NEVER say "No" to a book! We still will have nights where read outloud - except now they are reading to me!

Keep up the good work - it's the best, non-paying job we'll ever have!

Happy Mother's Day

sharon

pippa

Thought you might like this poem about reading.

THE READING MOTHER

Strickland Gillilan

I HAD A MOTHER who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath

I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.

I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Celert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.

I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such.

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.

gzuslivz

We homeschooled. One day my daughter asked, "Can I take a break from school?" "What do you want to do?", I asked. "Read" was her reply. They always took books with them wherever we went. They are 24 and 19 and they still do!