Someone In My House Is Reading?...It's A MIRACLE!

I live in a household on non-readers. Husband included. Not a one enjoys reading for pleasure and they only read if they have too. It hurts my heart especially since I'm a writer and I LOVE to read. Where my kids got this nonchalant view of reading, I have no idea...wait a minute. Yes, I do. It's from their father (there is no "proof" of this, but why not just blame the man anyway).

Actually, there's probably a lot of reasons for my children's lack of reading, but lets be sure to point out that I'm NOT one of them (Again, there's no data to support this either way, so let's not go there).

When my children were little, I tried everything--buying new books for them at the book store, taking them to the library for story time and getting them their very own library card, reading books to them, listening to audio books in the car and on their little Preschool Playhouse cassette players. I tried, folks. I really did. They just never quite caught on to the love of it. It doesn't help when their dad doesn't read books either. Don't get me wrong, he reads, just not books. He reads blogs and the news. That's his extent.

But guess what? The other day my husband came home with a book from the library. The library! I had no idea that he even knew our city had one. I'm impressed. The book is called ALL THE WAY HOME; Building a family in a falling down house. I'm not sure what this means; both for reading in our family or what the heck he's doing with a book like this one. What is he trying to say here?

Anyhoo... this is a step in the right direction. Now, I just need to sit him and his book in a very open part of our house so the children can witness this miracle.

Actually, another surprising thing happened yesterday. It was the first day of school and my daughter came home, set the oven timer for 20 minutes and then sat on the couch and read a book. A book! ALL ON HER OWN!

What strange universe is this?!? Whatever is going on, I approve. I SO approve! If my boys should break out a book, I just may kill over (literally) with the shock of it all. So far they're a no go, but a mother can dream can she?

True, it was just the first day of school, so anything can happen today. It may have just been a fluke with my daughter. And true, I haven't seen my husband crack open his library book yet, but folks, I'll take it! I'll take whatever small steps I can get in hopes someday my family will jump aboard the reading train and read their way to happiness! Ahhh...fingers crossed. Fingers crossed. (Please don't be a fluke. Please don't be a fluke).

How do you encourage reading in your household? What kind of books do your lovely kiddos enjoy? Any suggestions you may have are much appreciated.

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