Little Angry DollReading to Children - I'm an Underachieving Parent
October 16th 2006 08:24
Are You an Underachieving Parent?
After walking home with another day care mum, I have come to the conclusion that I am an underachieving parent.
Our children are the same age – 3&1/2ish – and we started talking about bed time reading. Like the underachieving parent that I am, I blurted out that Number One Son’s favourite right now is The Cat in the Hat.
“Oh.”
A so very loaded “Oh.”
“Our favourite is Jane Eyre.”
I want to scream.
In particular, I wanted to scream “Oh, get your hand off it!!!”
I could have countered with, “Well, I’ve read The Wind in the Willows to him, the first three Lemony Snicket novels, Kafka’s The Metamorphosis (granted, an illustrated adaptation) and when I was pregnant I went to a Bloomsday reading and he kicked during the Paddy Dignam Funeral excerpt.”
But I didn’t.
And I didn’t say WE read Children’s Books.
I just said what she wanted to hear…
“Gee, that’s so advanced.”
There is a huge difference between reading a story together, story that they are participating in, and reading at them. NOS’s favourite is The Cat in the Hat because he knows the words, loves the meter and can join in.
We also love hearing about characters who fall asleep on big fluffy pillows as Toad, Ratty, Violet, Sunny and Klaus inevitable on every second page.
Does this mean I’m a bad mum? Clearly.
What do you read to your children and what do you read together?
After walking home with another day care mum, I have come to the conclusion that I am an underachieving parent.
Our children are the same age – 3&1/2ish – and we started talking about bed time reading. Like the underachieving parent that I am, I blurted out that Number One Son’s favourite right now is The Cat in the Hat.
“Oh.”
A so very loaded “Oh.”
“Our favourite is Jane Eyre.”
I want to scream.
In particular, I wanted to scream “Oh, get your hand off it!!!”
I could have countered with, “Well, I’ve read The Wind in the Willows to him, the first three Lemony Snicket novels, Kafka’s The Metamorphosis (granted, an illustrated adaptation) and when I was pregnant I went to a Bloomsday reading and he kicked during the Paddy Dignam Funeral excerpt.”
But I didn’t.
And I didn’t say WE read Children’s Books.
I just said what she wanted to hear…
“Gee, that’s so advanced.”
There is a huge difference between reading a story together, story that they are participating in, and reading at them. NOS’s favourite is The Cat in the Hat because he knows the words, loves the meter and can join in.
We also love hearing about characters who fall asleep on big fluffy pillows as Toad, Ratty, Violet, Sunny and Klaus inevitable on every second page.
Does this mean I’m a bad mum? Clearly.
What do you read to your children and what do you read together?
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Comment by Homer Joyce
I'd rather have you for a mum than some pretentious over-achiever.
Give me The Cat in the Hat any day.
Btw, What did your friend name her child? Precocious?
Homer.
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
No, her little one has a normal name... But we have a new name in our house for the mother. Pretentious Expletive.
Comment by Homer Joyce
I must have been distracted ... I didn't even realise this was your blog ... (Now it makes even more sense ... I"m glad I wrote what I did) ...
When I was reading your post, I couldn't help thinking of the film 'Whatever happened to Baby Jane' ... Have you ever seen it? I think it's Bette Davis and Joan Crawford (who apparently detested each other in real life and had to play sisters that hated each other in this film ... well worth a watch ... I'd watch it myself now if I had a copy) ...
Homer ...
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
No, I haven't. It's on my "To Do List" right after "getting my child into Mensa". I read that Bette Davis said that the best thing about working on the movie was pushing Joan Crawford down the stairs.
Comment by Homer Joyce
Way too funny with the Mensa comment ...
Btw ... next time you catch up with your friend, tell her there was a misunderstanding ... when you said bedtime reading you were referring to the fact that your child was reading to you at bedtime ... and see what sort of reaction you get ...
And the reason your child was reading that particular book. The child told you: I found Jane Eyre quite tedious in parts ...
Homer ...
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
But there are these day care mums obsessed with their children's intellectual ranking. Sheesh! This is day care, guys. I'm happy if NOS comes home with a finger painting and hasn't bitten anyone.
Comment by Homer Joyce
I guess a lot of parents want to fulfil their own dreams through their children ...
In light of that theory, I guess It makes sense if you're dumb to want to have an intelligent child ...
I might have to change my nic to Evil Homer ...
Homer ...
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I can't stand people who are too snooty to know what's good fro their kids...THEY ARE KIDS>
I'm not a mum but i totally agree with HJ - Give me more cat in the hat thanks - How else will your kid have an imagination and a sense of humour - leaev jane eyre for high school english thanks!
Comment by Nina
TV Babble
Don't fret, you are not an underachieving mum, you are a sensible and loving one. I highly doubt the child in question would give a damn about Jane Eyre. He/she probably wants to read Cat in the Hat.
When I was a kid, my dad used to read Enid Blyton books to me. Novels about adventure and fantasy are fantastic for a child and allow them to let their imaginations run wild.
Comment by Lilla
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I am with you all the way on this one, those day care mums used to make me gag, honestly. Everyone knows that Dr Zues has done more for this new generation of literacy than anyone else - well since Harry Potter (as controversial) has actually made children pick up a book again *eye it curiously* and actually, *open the pages* and read it!
A miracle in the modern world, no matter which way you look at it. Especially amongst the poorer parts of society.
I'm with you all the way on this one. I dropped out of the Day-care Mum's, super intelligent, over achieving, [I have an SUV] - super 'toffs' club scene within a week. Like you, thought I was a misfit. Years later as my children have grown and become beautifully adjusted young adults, I am so pleased to be called misfit.
Now that they are at High School and Primary, I am once again considering home schooling as an alternative to ...urgh!
You teach more to a child when you read to them than just words. You teach about life and the fact that even though it may beat the shit out of you, you (the parent) made it through, it is possible, look so did all these others - how - well kids can work it out ... imagination.
I could go on and on about this subject, but will give others a chance to agree that you are a great mum, not only because you actually read to your children, but your choice of literature also. Statistics have proven (in various polls around the world) that children who are read read to by their parents make much more well adjusted individuals. Certain polls also suggested that they do better at school and develop their own love of literature because of it.
Well done, keep up the good work!
Lilla.
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Yeah, I dropped out of the Power Mother stakes early on too. And I know that I will never be on the "network" at day care because I just don't care. I read the newsletters, smile when I pick the boy up, but I don't drill the care givers, like I've seen other parents do. NOS is happy, I'm happy. I even failed at Mother's Group. I dropped out at around 5 months because I couldn't get interested in endless debates about the right time to introduce mashed pumpkin.
There are a lot of people out their pushing their kids from a very early age. Looking for signs of "early genius".
I'm looking for signs of an evil genius instead.
Comment by Aaron
I'll probably just read 'Letters to Penthouse' to my kids.
Aaron.
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Comment by Lilla
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*lol*
don't get me started on all the other inane conversations I had during my first week...
Brilliant post!
Comment by Lilla
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sorry to keep bursting in like this, but because I was post depressed at the time, I actually considered whether ignorance was bliss for a long time, and then set about putting the egg back into the shell.
I'm better now.*lol* I'm pre-menopausal.
Lilla.
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
It's all good! I loved what you had to say.
Actually, my next post is all about idiot questions you get asked during your first week as a mum...
Thanks!
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Would you know where could I get a copy of 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs'? That sounds fantastic!
One of our favourites really is the illustrated version of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis for children. It's called Bug Boy and is so funny.
Penthouse... um... hey.
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
I hear you on the mothers group, playdoh recipes with oil, yeahhh? gee i better rush home and make some right away.. what, you want me to bring 4 bucketloads next week.... groan...
Ignore that woman, the kid's probably bored to tears..
or she reads it to put them to sleep...
Apart from Seuss, I wish i could remember what I read to my kids when they were lil bumpkins, there was one book that had cardboard pandas and bears and rabbits and skunks, and they all had their own page and bed to go into; they loved that book for years...
~Lily
Comment by Anonymous
In all seriousness, my daughter adores books and Dr Seuss is a fav of hers. I have to read up to 20 books a day, all at her request (ie. shoving the book in my face and crying if I don't read it to her).
Her other big favourites are Spot, sparkly butterfly books, Maisy Mouse, Teletubbies, Hungry Caterpillar story and anything with flaps you can open (have to say I love those books the best myself).
There is something to be said about 'age appropriateness.' I wonder what that child is gaining from hearing Jane Eyre??
Great post by the way.
Candice.
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Yes, the Pretentious Expletive is awful.
I love reading to NOS & The Sequal, Baby (14 weeks). Reading to your child means so much more than a desperate grapple at Power Motherhood. Let them think, let their minds play and certainly, let them chew.
We love Maisy books too!
Bedtime reading should also be a time to establish a safe mental environment for beautiful dreams. I'm not sure any Bronte had that in mind.
Comment by Adele
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You were serious about the illustrated version of Metamorphosis? Now I'm curious. I checked Amazon for Bug Boy and came up with 721 possibilities. Who's the author?
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
You can find 'Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs' here on Amazon.
Here's the link to the site from Amazon:
'Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs'
It's a fantastic book.
Aaron.
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
This is what I mean about being an underachieving parent. I can't even get the name of my kid's book right. Sorry about that.
It's Beetle Boy by David Lawrence, illustrated by Delphine Durand - who has also illustrated a fantastic book about lice calledScritch Scratch .
Beetle Boy (Paperback)
by Laurence David, David Lawrence,
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Thankyou for the link. I'm definitely going to check that one out.
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Comment by Johanna
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I just feel guilty because I think I should do it every day but get caught up doing everything else at bedtime that I remember when he's asleep.
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Love The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We've got a few jumpsuits from Caters in the USA with the VHC on them. Sad you can't get them in Aus. I think I recall George W mentioning that it was his favourite book as a child, even though it was first published in 1969.
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Oh.
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