2/15/13

A Big Thank You

Oh my goodness, you guys really came through for me.  Thank you SO much!  When I quickly typed out that post last Sunday night (after a frustrating argument with a boy who insists that there are NO good books and he's soooo bored to death because I never let him go on the computer or play video games...wahhhh!), I woke up to so many terrific comments filled with book suggestions.  I took the liberty to order a bunch from the library and you all gave me this incredible resource of books to have for this "bored boy" age group for the rest of my life.

Parenting is hard sometimes in this day and age and it makes me sad.  Sometimes I doubt myself for sure.  I am told often by my kids that we are the only family that doesn't allow this or that.  Now I know this isn't true, and I try hard to be fair about rules but I have to trust my maternal instincts also, and insist on the standards I feel comfortable with in my house.  But I get weary sometimes of all of it.  It's so much easier just to say yes, go ahead, rot your brain out and stop bothering me.  I want my kids to be readers, I want them to be smart, I want them to not grow up staring at a darn screen their whole lives.  I miss the days when us kids had a few choices:
1. Go outside and play-with or without friends.
2. Stay inside and play.
3. Read a book.

Thanks again for all your suggestions!  We have a stack awaiting us at the library.

28 comments:

  1. Gosh, he looks just like Isaac in this photo! It is always refreshing to see children read! I got the love of reading from my mother. Although I was a horrible reader in 3rd grade...she never gave up on me...she read out loud to me nightly for a good school year and I finally comprehended what I was hearing...then the love of Little House On The Prairie books hooked me forever. I am 46 now and the joy of reading is a pleasure... always.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Not only did it help you, but it helped us at our house too! Loved all the suggestions!

    ReplyDelete
  3. this gives me courage to keep going

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful to hear:) I should comb your list for more recs myself. and hang in there, it is tough being the 'mean mum' but follow your instincts.

    ReplyDelete
  5. As a school teacher I can assure you that you are right- trust those instincts!!!! Kids NEED to play outside, read and use their IMAGINATION. Yes, technology is here to stay, but in limited doses please only for children!

    Good for you and thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your readers really come through for you, but then again, you really come through for your readers :)

    As step-mom to two boys I must say I'm dismayed that they don't seem interested in reading in the least; I thought the youngest was going to catch the bug when I first came into their lives, but apart from Marley and Me (the only book I could encourage him to read) he hasn't read much else.

    I completely back what you and Melissa believe :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is HARD to stay on track with all the electronics and activities...sometimes I feel like the only one that feels the way I do. But I know it's worth it when I have to force my 12 year old to turn off his light and STOP reading his book!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I know that technology is a part of their lives now, but I'm with you that I'd rather them do more of the things I did when I was younger...read, play outside. My older boys are starting to want to play on the computer a lot and I mostly don't let them because it doesn't teach them anything. What is your advice on this subject. How do you monitor computer time at your house?

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Fablehaven series from Brandon Mull is a good one too!

    The Leven Thumps series is also good...by Obert Skye.

    Very kid friendly!

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am with you! I have a just turned 5 year old who thinks every waking moment should be spent glued to the tv or playing the wii, an 8 year old who lays around staring at the walls because there is nothing to do, an 11 year old who suddenly thinks everything is unfair because everyone else can do, see, wear, etc and she can't and a 13 year old who will do anything to sneak in some computer time. Wow... there is some venting for you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I should also state for the record that all but the youngest are really good about reading. Just had a small moment.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I recently made the choice to say no to tv. I am over the fighting it causes with who wants to watch what and when. We don't have cable anyways (just netflix). So can I tell you, when a friend (who's a teacher!!!) heard that I was doing this, she said to me- "PLEASE don't be one of those creepy parents, I beg you. Everything is good in moderation, even tv. Your kids need to experience the world that exists, not the one you create for them. YOU hate the tv, not your kids. Don't do this to them!" That was an actual text I quoted. I agree about moderation. But really? The way I see it, I'm not doing anything TO them. Instead I am doing something FOR them. You sure are right about these not being popular choices. I just never thought the opinions would come from anyone other than my children!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I appreciated it too- my son loves to read but he'll take a break from literature and start bringing home garfield or easy-reader pokemon or other "dumb" things from the school library, and then won't go back to actual books! That's where we've been that last couple weeks. I left my comment Sunday night and Monday morning as soon as he was ready for school I sat him down to read all the comments you had! :) He rolled his eyes at the proof that other mom's encourage the same books I do, but he's cracked open Treasure Island so I thank you too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Have you posted the list of books that were recommended? If not I'd love to see the list so I can keep this on file. Thanks so much!

    Your blog is daily inspiration for so many:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love for you to do a post about how much screen time you allow your varies age children. What a typical weekend might be like for your family. Love your parenting insights.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would love to hear your technology house rules!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I didn't comment that day--everyone else was doing such a wonderful job.

    I'm just reading the first of The Infinity Ring series by James Dashner. I'm reading his Maze Runner series, too. (James is my husband's favorite first cousin, so I'm trying to get acquainted with everything he's written but I'm behind!) Maze Runner is really intense and reminds me a lot of Endor's Game but Orson Scott Card which is a quintessential teenage boy novel.

    I'll keep you posted.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I missed that post, but will have to go back and read it and the comments. What a sweet face he has!

    ReplyDelete
  19. We do strike a compromise. No video or computer during the school week and limited on weekends. I'm lucky, though, my boys have always been great readers.

    ReplyDelete
  20. You said it sister!!! I hate that they sometimes feel they are totally excluded about things, or the only kids that can't do X,Y,or Z...moms know this isn't true, but it is still hard to stay on top of it all the time...Just know that some day the Lord is going to reward us being faithful and doing what we feel He has led us to do or not do for our families!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. As a teacher I love to see kids get hooked on books they love to read! That is great! Also, if you are hearing from your kids that you are the "only" parents doing something, it probably means you are on the right track. So few parents actually parent and provides rules and consequences for their kids. Keep fighting the good fight! :)
    Justin
    Writing Pad Dad Blog
    Writing Pad Dad on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  22. weary...is the word that stuck out to me in this post. I feel this way often between trying to feed them healthy meals and getting them to practice their piano or read and limiting their technology... Somedays I just want to go back to bed.

    ReplyDelete
  23. It's hard being the 'tough' mom sometimes. We only have one child so we get the 'I have no one to play with' complaint a lot. But from what I hear those with siblings don't play as fabulously as I think they do. :) We struggle with books sometimes too - it's great when there's a series that catches my daughter's attention. I try to limit tv and other screen time but it gets old after awhile - but I don't give in too often because I feel like we don't do them any favors when we do that. Our challenges are different from our parents' and there is so much out there vying for our attention these days. We just try to keep it simple. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think this is the first comment I've left. I have a 13 yo & a 15 yo. We never started with tv, don't own video games & somehow, they seem to be readers. They use computers for school, but do not have Facebook yet (unlike 'all' of their friends). I'm not too popular, but they will thank me someday. I noticed at the holidays when they were little that they never had a list (because they hadn't seen any commercials). We are about moderation, but in small, age-appropriate doses. I didn't want the fight about tv or video games - I wanted the 'please, please, go to the 3rd library of the day & pick up that book because they're the only one who has it.' That's when technology can work in our favor. hehe Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I so enjoy reading your blog. My older brother is 7 years older than me and my younger siblings are 12 and 13 years younger than me. My Mom had them at 42 and 43. so much fun having siblings that range the gamut in age. We are a very close group now that the "babies" are 19 and 20. So glad he found a good book!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I agree, I'd love to hear your guidelines on technology stuff. What are your rules!? :)
    I was good about no tech during the school week...just Friday afternoon and the weekends. But, I must say I've lost control! We got them an xbox for Christmas. It's been a love/hate thing for me. Typically the one sit down game (Star Wars lego) is just on the weekend but I have let them do the kinect lately during the week while I'm making dinner because it's a good energy outlet...still new & fun for us. We're here in the Pacific NW & it's rainy a lot & everyone's backyard is a mess this time of year.
    Always looking for balance. And definitely want them to read more! I'm glad you asked about the books. I jotted them down for later! :) Take care & thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. "I want my kids to be readers, I want them to be smart, I want them to not grow up staring at a darn screen their whole lives. I miss the days when us kids had a few choices" I hear ya!

    I still believe that my oldest daughter's bookworm trait translated into being the student that she is (my national merit scholar).

    Reading is so important. You are setting a great example!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Can I ask a random question? Where is that pillow from in the photo. The one with the blue flowers? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete