I've noticed an alarming trend, children are paying the price and not spending enough quality time with their parents. Bed time stories? Forget it.
A couple of years ago I started babysitting my niece, after her mother passed away. I would always make special time for Des. She loves to help me cook and she loves when I read to her. My house was stocked with books just for her.
We would make some snacks (apples and peanut butter were requested on most occasions), get cozy and I would read to her for at least one hour. We could never stop after one book.
When I was busy doing dishes, I would peek in the living room to find Des, sitting on the couch looking at the books and making up her own stories. She made my heart melt.
Let's take a step back from our hectic schedules and read to our children. Books are such an important part of childhood. They spark imagination and take us to magical places.
If you need to spark your imagination, read some of my suggestions.
1☼
Bring your children to the library so they can choose a book to take home. Kids feel liberated when they are able to choose the books they want to read. One of my fondest memories is going to the library with my mom and walking out with a small stack of books.
2☼
If you have smaller children take them to story time at the library.
3☼
Instead of movie night, have a reading night instead. Don't forget the snacks and blanket.
4☼
When reading to your kids, use different voices for each character. Make the story come alive.
5☼
Buy your child a personalized book, where they take center stage in the story. Your child will be in awe and feel oh so special.
6☼
Turn reading into a nightly activity. If you have older children, have them read you a story.
If you have more suggestions, please share them in the comments below. What was your favorite book growing up?
I hadn’t thought about buying personalised books for my grandchildren - but I will now, what a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI had lots of favourite books as a child but probably the one I liked best of all was the lion, the witch and the wardrobe. I struggled at school. I tried but could not grasp the basics of maths or English, but I loved reading. Not being academically gifted meant I missed out on prize giving day. My form teacher often told me I had lots of other qualities and that one year I would win a prize. I did - for deportment! My prize? A copy of the lion, the witch…