My mom has always read stories to my siblings and I. From the time I was an infant she has been reading me picture books. As I grew she started reading longer and longer stories to me, and later on to my siblings. She has always encouraged us to read and listen to books and homeschooled us with history books that are actually interesting to read. She one year forced me and my brother to do Ambleside Online’s reading list for our ages, even though the books were hard to read. At the time we did not enjoy it, but the hard reading payed off and now I enjoy challenging books and writing.
Something we did enjoy was to read aloud stories. She would pick a book that the older ones could understand and the younger ones would sit in to. All of us had something to do. I drew, while my brother built Legos, and my sister and the little ones tried to do gymnastics in the background. Often mom made the little ones sit still because they started getting loud and not paying attention. For 30 minutes to 2 hours Mom would read to us. It was usually only supposed to be 30 minutes but sometimes we would be caught on a cliff hanger and would end up finishing the last half of a book in one day. If she happened to be busy and couldn’t read for 2 hours my siblings and I who were disappointed would chant, “one more chapter, one more chapter” and mom should have to say “No chanting.”
I am so grateful for my mom’s investment in my literary education. Because of her, I appreciate books and good writing.
Brainchild Galore 