Proud, with restrictions


We all have our proud mommy moments and usually we like to brag about share them. But sometimes our proud moments are that kind of proud. You know, the moments where you can't believe this child is related to you in any way.

Kmama has created a meme where we can share our proud moments, good, bad, and funny. You can read more about it here. If you have a moment you'd like to share, and I'm sure you do, feel free to link up.





By the time GG was done with pre-school and getting ready to start pre-K, she knew all of her letters along with their sounds. She also knew a few words, mostly names. I thought for sure she would be an early reader. I was so maybe it was hereditary.

In Kindergarten, she was beginning to learn letters and sounds, most of which she knew. She was starting to learn how to blend certain sounds together to form words. This was it! This was my opportunity to get her reading.

Many, many nights her and I sat in her uber-comfy bed with Hop on Pop. Surely she could read those words. All she had to do was sound the letters out, which she knew how to do.

Many, many nights her and I sat in her uber-comfy bed with Hop on Pop. Tears were streaming down all four of our cheeks. This was not it. She was not ready to read. My heart was shattered.

Towards the middle of her Kindergarten year, someone flipped a switch. Her reading switch. She was reading words left and right as if she had been doing it forever. I had a reader! Over time the words got longer, as well as the books. Last year, in second grade, she was finally able to read short chapter books. Junie B., A to Z mysteries, Magic Tree House.

Her book self soon filled up. By the end of second grade, she had read most of the books on her shelf at least once. Wanting to challenge her, I offered up my Harry Potter books. She had seen the first few movies and I knew she would fall in love with Harry as I did. She tried to read the first, but was scared. She said it was the story that scared her, but I think it was the book itself. All those words. So many chapters. This time I was fine with waiting.

Towards the end of the summer leading up to third grade, GG decided once again to try the first Harry Potter book. She read it in a matter of days. I finally had the reader I hoped for. I was so unbelievably proud of her. She was also proud of herself.


Now before you go and get all "way to go girl" on me, I have recently come to realize that there is a downside to all this reading.

In the past few weeks, GG has read books 4, 5, and half of 6 in the Harry Potter series. The reason she is trying to cram these books in before the school year ends is because they are worth beaucoup points. The kids' school participates in Accelerated Reader. In short, you read a book and take a quiz on it. You receive points based on your test score. All children who participate receive a prize, but the children with the most points in each grade level receive an extra special prize.

GG wants to win. I guess being competitive is hereditary.

In order to finish reading all seven books by the end of the school year, GG must read a lot. I wanted a reader, but I also want a child who likes to play with toys. I will admit, the lack of cleaning up toys at the end of the day is a perk. Realizing GG is hiding under her covers reading at 11:30pm is not a perk. We have to be out the door by 6:30am. Yes, some mornings are ugly!

I certainly don't want to deter her from reading, but we have had to put a time limit on how long she read at night.

I guess you can't win them all!



Until next time....

8 comments:

Oka said...

I think their are ups and downs to so many of the possible activities kids can choose to favor. I have a reader and I have a brainiac jock(yes it's possible). They both have their strong points, but they both have some down falls. Balance isn't easy.

Kmama said...

I think it's great that she likes to read (and is competitive...so am I), but you might have to set some limits with her. Reading at 11:30?? I know how hard it is to put a good book down though.

Thanks for linking up!

VandyJ said...

I started reading when I was about 8 too. The chapter book intimidated me some but once I got over it I read anything and everything I could get my hands on. I truly wish I could flip that reader switch in my oldest, but alas I haven't found it yet.

Losing Brownies said...

That is awesome news!! I love reading and hope I pass on that love to my kiddo!!

Emmy said...

Hey much better that she is up late reading than playing video games :). I too hope my kids will be readers we have shelves of kids books that I have gotten over the years.
Great PMM, thanks for linking up with Kmama and I.

Jackie said...

I love to read and I used to read just like her when I was younger.... staying up late to get to the next chapter... or the chapter after that.

Anonymous said...

Reading is good for kids!!! Much better than just vegging in front of the tv.

Liz said...

Ha! Well, maybe you got a reader AND a kid with some serious entrepreneurial ambition?? :)