artificial insemination kit for humans
I’ve always held the belief that nurturing a love for reading is essential. As a child, I was an avid reader from the moment I could comprehend words. I was reading before I started kindergarten and tackled chapter books by first grade. Words have always flowed easily for me. (Let’s just say math is not my strong suit.)
When I was expecting my first child, I began gathering a collection of books. We now have an extensive library of children’s literature, many of which were generously passed down from a family I nannied for during my twenties. These books are dear to me. I spent countless hours organizing them on shelves, eagerly awaiting my baby’s arrival. I may not have known what kind of parent I would become, but I was certain I would raise a reader.
From the moment he was born, I read to him constantly. By the time he turned two, getting him to sit still was like wrestling a slippery fish. Once I managed to calm him down, I could usually get through a few pages before he wriggled away.
Now, my eldest son is almost nine and the oldest of three. He is genuinely brilliant. While every parent thinks their child is exceptional, this kid’s intelligence makes me wonder, “Where did you come from?” My husband and I are reasonably smart, but he operates on a whole different level. His thirst for knowledge seems limitless. We attempted to homeschool him, but I quickly realized I couldn’t provide the education he deserves. He benefits from gifted programs and teachers who can nurture his potential, and I’m amazed to be continually outsmarted by my third grader.
Sadly, he doesn’t seem inclined to utilize that remarkable intellect to devour books like I did at his age. So much for my dream of raising a reader.
Generally, we don’t force our children into activities they dislike. Baseball wasn’t a hit, ice skating didn’t resonate, and ninja warrior classes? Not his thing. I allow my kids to try different activities, and if they don’t enjoy them, we’ll fulfill any commitments and move on to something else. He’s recently expressed interest in Boy Scouts and basketball, so we’ll probably give those a shot. Eventually, something will click.
Except when it comes to reading. That’s a different story. My other two children will also receive the same encouragement to read. For now, I read to them, and my kindergartner exhibits early reading skills similar to those of my oldest, so we have him read to us too. We’re making progress.
But with the little ones, we have time. My primary focus is my oldest son, and I’m not just being stubborn in my quest to raise a reader. This isn’t like a parent dreaming of a child becoming a quarterback; it’s not about pride or bragging rights. Who would I even tell about my child’s reading preferences? Odd.
My intention is to help him maximize the extraordinary mind he was given. For older children, reading is crucial for developing a strong vocabulary and understanding language. It fosters imagination and exposes them to experiences they might not encounter in reality. If my son chooses to pursue higher education, he’ll need to manage extensive reading material. He can start honing those skills now by reading daily.
Prioritizing reading is essential for his growth.
Even if he struggled with it, I would encourage him to persevere. Honestly, if reading didn’t come easily, I might be even more determined to instill a love for it. Literacy is vital. It opens doors that nothing else can.
I’ve tried countless approaches. He has always seen me with a book since he was born. We have piles of books scattered throughout our home. We’ve implemented reading charts for rewards, but those haven’t sparked his interest. I’ve purchased a myriad of chapter books, yet he hasn’t found “the one” that captures his attention. I’ve even allowed him to read on a tablet or computer if he’d commit to reading. He does it, albeit reluctantly. That’s not the enthusiasm I’m hoping for. I want him to truly enjoy it.
I know he absorbs a lot of words at school and is doing well, so I’m not worried about his reading ability. I just understand how thrilling a captivating book can be, and I want him to feel the same excitement. There are countless worlds that exist only in the pages of books. I still believe there’s a book out there that could change his perspective on reading.
My husband didn’t enjoy reading until he met me. I helped him discover books that sparked his interest, and now he loves it. I’m not the only parent in our family who values the importance of cultivating a reading habit.
I won’t pressure my son to the point that he grows to resent reading because of a pushy parent. Forcing it could be counterproductive. But I’m not ready to abandon the goal of helping him learn to love it, either.
My next strategy is to borrow a page from my own parents’ playbook and propose a bedtime deal. As a child, I had an 8 PM bedtime, but I could keep my light on until 9:30 if I was reading. That hour and a half of nightly reading is largely why I became a writer—I was enamored with the beautiful sentences I discovered and wanted to create my own. It significantly influenced my development.
I’m optimistic that my son won’t find reading more tedious than bedtime. Perhaps the opportunity to stay up late will provide the motivation he needs to push through the first chapter and uncover the treasures that good books hold. I may never succeed in turning him into an ardent reader, but I’m definitely going to give it my all.
Summary
In this reflection, a parent shares their struggle with raising a child who is highly intelligent yet reluctant to embrace reading. Despite having amassed a collection of books and employing various strategies to spark a love for reading, the parent grapples with their child’s disinterest. They emphasize the importance of reading for vocabulary development and imagination, hoping to inspire their son to discover the joys of literature without making the experience burdensome.