If you are mom who took the read-aloud idea to heart. I mean really absolutely embraces it. If you are that mom, have you noticed that it is hard for you to read for yourself with that throw-yourself-into-a-book-and-read kind of joy?
I read aloud to my kids every day without fail from the time they were 2 weeks old until about 4 months ago. I got so practiced that I could plan dinner while reading. In fact, over time it became the say I learned best – by listening to myself read aloud.
I stopped retaining information when I read to myself. It was like I forgot how to focus.
Nearly 4 months ago my kids asked me to stop reading out loud to them. They are teens now and we can all see the end of our homeschooling adventure. My kids wanted to have the time to get out and adventure together. So we replaced reading time with hikes and outings.
That was when I realized that I had forgotten how to really throw myself into a book and read. It took some work and perserverence to fix. But after a couple of months of working at it, I finally got my reading mojo back. I can once again sink into a world between the pages of a book and live there.
I still read alongside my kids – but now it is more like college where we just talk about a book together over tea.
Why am I telling you all this? Well, I think I really want you to know that it is ok to do what works for you and your kids. Maybe reading aloud was a glorious way for you to spend time together for years, but your life changes and it doesn’t fit anymore don’t stress. Everyone is different. There is no perfect or right way to teach your kids. Your kids will probably need one type of schooling when they are little and that will change as they grow.
And that is OK. If you are like me and spend nearly 17 years reading aloud every day and discover you cannot read anymore, don’t worry – it will come back.
