Early Reading and One-on-One Time
[Please note that I wrote this post back in June but forgot to post it. I think it’s a great reminder for me to cherish the small moments, especially as many of us, including me, are hitting the pandemic fatigue wall.]
Back in June, I had two quiet moments, one with each of my kids. The first was a quick 5-10 min snuggle in bed before Mini Me went to the orthodontist for the first time since quarantine began.
The other was an admittedly much interrupted read-aloud session with Little Lion. However we still had several 5-10 min sessions of reading PERCY JACKSON’S GREEK GODS by Rick Riordan. We started reading this book together a long time ago so it was about time we picked it up again. Riordan’s humor is delightful throughout in Jackson’s voice. A great way to learn about Greek Mythology.
More importantly, I enjoyed being fully in the moment with my girls. I admit that I’m not always able to do that.
I asked Mr Bookworm to take our picture not necessarily for the blog or IG, but because I wanted to remember that specific moment of just enjoying my child.
When I see parents of a newborn who has older siblings, I always suggest that they take at least 5-15 min day of one on one time with the older sib (for each of them). My most often recommended activities include reading a book together or taking a walk.
I’ve seen many quotations about early reading. Most of them make me smile. The bottom line is that early reading is good for you and your child, not just for speech development, but bonding.
It’s one of the silver lining of pandemic—for those of us who are not worried about money, food, shelter, violence—the big silver lining of the stay-at-home orders is all the bonding I’m doing with my family. (Yes, I’m counting my blessings because I know how lucky I am right now.) We had many plans that were canceled, but our weekends became clear spaces to do whatever we wanted to do (at home). While I wish that meant I did a lot of writing in the last several months, I’ll admit that sometimes it was different creative outlets that came about: I sewed a bunch of masks, I worked on collages for Mini Me’s graduation, I helped Little Lion make her stuffed cloud cuttlefish for school. Mini Me embroidered a bunch of pieces and taught herself a new digital art program. Little Lion has done some embroidery and made a TON of fused bead projects. Not to mention the fact that she is able to write no matter what.
Doctor Bookworm and LIttle Lion reading Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods by Rick Riordan. The featured picture is of Mini Mini and her Granny, my lovely mother-in-law. Both pictures are posted with permission.
Earlier that week, Mini Me and I went to one of our favorite beaches together, just the two of us, even though Mr. Bookworm loves this beach for its tidepools. She said she ‘had’ to go because no one else could join me. But the dragging of the feet wasn’t as bad as it could have been. At all. We had a lovely time just enjoying our short hike down to the water, and (slowly for me) scrambling over rocks at the tide pools.
It was grey out because it was June. June gloom for those of you not familiar with SoCal is when we get the grey days before the marine layer is burned off. But sometimes it doesn’t burn off at all. It makes for a lovely early morning beach outing. One in which you need a jacket.
Later we pre-ordered and pre-paid for acai bowls (minimal contact). Our new normal.
Then we napped together for a bit. Not bad for a day off, right?
We each have been itching for a bit of space in this time of quarantine. Sometimes that space means breaking off in pairs. Sometimes it means getting a bit of fresh air. I’m trying my best to give my girls some space as much as I want to hold them tight. There’s a time for that. Even if it feels like it’s too short.
They seem like they’re growing so fast but I also remember feeling like the nursing days would never stop. Just like quarantine, my girls’ childhood seems to go so slowly and so quickly all at once.
Today I’m grateful to take a breath of fresh (sea) air and just savor the moments together.
[ETA: As I said above, this post was written in June. But I’m posting today as I think it’s a good reminder for myself that even though it feels like it is lasting forever, this time is going by faster than I think. I won’t always have my girls home all the time—there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we are almost there. Stay safe.]
