I might be doing something right

I told Mark the other day that I am the worst mother in the world. I even had proof because at least one of our children told me every day. Regardless of what they say I have a few moments of light that give me hope that I might be doing something right.

I signed Lauren up for a Young Statesmen Club. It is a group of youth learning about government and leadership. It is in its infancy and the first club meeting was coming up. The book for this month was The Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour. She only had a little over 2 week to read it and it is about 480 pages long. She got a very slow start. With only about 3 days before club, she still had about 400 pages to go. Mark was reading it also, and said there was no way she would finish by Saturday. She became very determined and asked me if she finished by Saturday would I buy her the next Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites book. I said absolutely! One, I thought I was pretty safe, and two, the reward she is asking for reading a book is another book! I figured I won either way. With 10 minutes to spare before club started she finished. I was very proud of her. Not only had she finished, but she did not fall behind on her other schoolwork. More and more I find her reading instead of doing other activities like watching TV. Last week when the other kids were watching TV I found her in her room reading one of her historical fiction books for school. I asked her, “Didn’t you finish your school work today?” She said no and keep reading. Then a little while later she came into my room. Mom I had finished my reading for the day, but I just had to keep reading. She finished the book 2 weeks earlier than scheduled.

Madison’s interest level is higher than her reading level. To encourage her love of reading, I have given her some books on tape. She listens while she follows along in the book. This week she was reading Peter and the Star Catchers. She was getting hooked. I kept hearing comments like “I just can’t put it down; I am going to get my school work done fast so I can spend the rest of the day on my book.” On Friday she came begging, “Mom can I please just have the time to finish my book.” After giving her the right to be left alone, she sat in the family room for almost 3 hours to finish. It was wonderful to hear her gasp and the suspense, and laugh at the humor. Once she finished she could not stop talking about it. Her only regret is that now it is over.

Sarah after seeing everyone else read wanted a book of her own. She said mom, “Don’t you have book that I could read.” I just “happened” to have a book on Christopher Columbus that I wanted her to read. I said I thought I had one that would be just right. She started the book and then we went to the map. We talked about where he was born in Italy and how she had been shipwrecked on the coast of Spain when he was a kid. I explained where the Indies were and how he was trying to get there. Then she went back to her book. She looked up at me and said, “I want to read this book, then write a report so I can share it at my girls club.” I said that was a great idea!

Jared loves learning his letters. He stands up and gives a “touch down dance” every time he writes a perfect letter. And Mijken is right in the middle of everything. I love watching her concentrate on trying to color or “read” her own books. She wants to be as big as everyone else.

So in the dailyness of my life, it is hard to see any progress. Kids are laughing, crying, yelling, playing, making a mess, asking for food, and arguing about what I have said, however, if I step back and take a look I can find small baby steps in the right direction. I just had to share, so on those days that tears start to well in my eyes because I don’t think I can do it another day, I can read my own blog and be reminded of the small moments of success. Thanks of listening.