Today’s blog post is more of a plea for advice than anything else, because I find myself at a loss.
You see, I’ve been blessed with two kids who love to read as much as I do.
Until now.
Up until last week, I’ve never had to beg, bribe or threaten either of my children to read a book.
Then, the beginning of school and the first reading assignment came along.
This year, for the “beginning of the year reading project,” the school assigned one book to all students rather then giving them a choice of books.
And it’s a book he hates. Which means he has absolutely no desire to read the thing.
Unfortunately for me, the boy and I share one very annoying trait: stubbornness.
Like me, if the youngest is uninterested in something, there’s very little in the world that can make him do it. While I didn’t outgrow this annoying trait, I did eventually discover that some things have to be done whether they’re interesting or not. It’s a lesson I’m now in the process of trying to teach a stubborn youngster.
The boy who finished the 7th Harry Potter book in less than a day has taken a week to read 110 pages. I’ve tried everything: orders, cajoling, bribery, threats. One or more of those have worked well in the past, but we’re still only 110 pages into the book.
He’d rather do dishes, by hand, than read this book.
He’s gone so far as to take a book from his personal library, with a cover similar to the “evil” one, to fool his stepdad and I into thinking he’s reading the assigned one. (Once we caught on, the imposter book got confiscated.)
So now I make a heartfelt appeal to you: When you’ve run against a similar situation with your children, how do you help them learn that whether they like it or not, they have to do it anyway?
Photo Credit: Karen Bristow
Wow – the book must be really bad!!! As to answer your question – I’ve no track record in getting Xander to do anything so I’m woefully under qualified to give you any advice!!
I think I’m going to have to read it myself, just to see! After the due date for his project passes though. To ward off any attempt to get me to do his project for him! And I think my track record of getting 4 year olds to bend to my will is terrible as well! 🙂
That’s a tough postion to be in, try talking to the teacher and see if there is another possible book selection for child.
Hi Donna! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
That’s great advice! Though it looks like they selected this one book for all students for a theme they’ll be studying throughout the year. haha! So it looks like Mr. Stubborn is going to have to get over it while I pull the rest of my hair out.
All I can say is that I’m happy those years are behind me, BUT, even though my kids are grown now, things like stubborn traits can still rear their ugly heads…lol. At least they’ve learned to reason like adults! 🙂
Sherry Leitner recently posted..March 13, 2011 – Springer Bound
Hi Sherry! I feel better knowing other great parents have suffered through this phase as well! 🙂 I can’t wait until the youngest here can be reasoned with….
Thank you for taking the time to read my tale of woe and leaving a comment!
That was tough! For me, I will explain and let the kid understand that I am doing it not for myself but because I want the best for him/her.
Karen, I have 2 suggestions:
1. Why not read this less than appealing book to him? I do believe that a very important life lesson for our children is learning that there will be times in their lives where they just have to “do it”… play by the rules, because ultimately, it’s the means to their personal end. However, he would probably be thrilled to have this special time with you, so it would be a win-win, and would reduce the stress you’re both feeling.
2. Proactively contact the school, and suggest that they allow the children to have a choice of books to read. In my humble opinion, they’re not fostering that beautiful love of reading by turning your child off with such a stringent restriction.
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