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I will be the first to admit, I am not much a book reading person. I think one of the reasons that I don’t get tons of pleasure out of reading books is because I spend so many hours daily reading blogs and other online materials for work. It is not uncommon for me to spend 90% of my day from 8AM till 6PM sitting in front of the computer reading. So by the end of the day, I am ready to relax, turn on the TV and watch an episode of Season 4 of Burn Notice or another great TV Program. But what I have realized recently is that I need to take more time away from the television to pour into my little girl.
She is now 2 1/2 and one of her favorite things to do is read books. I find her on numerous occasions sitting in her room looking through books by herself. She isn’t quite old enough to read them, but she really enjoys when my wife or I read them to her. Some of her favorites are Wonderpets, I love You More than Rainbows, and the newest addition, The Little Engine That Could. As I was sitting in my office today working, I began to think about times when I was a child and one of my favorite books growing up. I instantly remembered so many fond memories of reading the book with parents & also grandparents. It made me realize that when I sit down and read with my daughter I am creating those same type of memories for her.
For me, there was one book that I definitely remember from being a child & reading with my family. It was called Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. This simple story line to follow takes you through the process of life. From the age of being a newborn all the way up through adulthood and the time in life where roles reverse and parents start to rely on their children to take care of them.
This story had such an impact on my family that I remember my father sharing it once during a speech to college graduate students and also sharing it at the funeral of my Grandmother. One thing for sure, that as an adult, you cannot read this book without having a tear or two form.
The point behind the post isn’t just a great book that I remember from childhood, but is more the importance of forming lasting memories with your children. Spending time creating those fond memories may not seem like a major deal to you, but as the child, it is lasting. Things like watching TV and playing on Facebook are fun for both you and the kids, but in 20 years from now, the things that they will remember are the books you read to them, the special times spent with just you, and the things you did specially for just them.
Take the time to create those memories, you never know the impact they may have!
Also, if you are not familiar with the book I was referring to, you can purchase it over on Amazon for under $10. It is definitely worth it!
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