Is Reading Overrated?

Let me start this post by saying I am a book worm. When we first married, my husband was shocked to find out how much time I spent reading. One of my favorite ways to spend an evening out is browsing at Barnes and Noble. I am almost always reading something. If I don't have a book or magazine nearby, I'll read a cereal box label.

My husband, on the other hand, rarely picks up a magazine and reads 2-4 books per year on average. Last year, he read two books that were assigned to the church by our pastor, a short book about grief and the biography Cooked . For the past 2 months, he's been working on the book called Becoming a Millionaire God's Way. I'm thinking, "Finish it, already!"

When we first married, I was shocked to find out how little time my husband spends reading. He would rather spend his free time watching football or playing golf.

I think it's safe to say reading is important. Every adult in this country should be able to read signs, warnings, instructions, contracts, magazines, books, etc. However, I think some of us are under the impression that every child must love reading and have a taste for great literature. I see this quite a bit with people who are making themselves miserable by using literature-based programs that their children hate.

While I absolutely love programs like Sonlight and Winter Promise, I think it is sad that some parents force these programs on children when they're not a good fit. Even the publishers themselves will admit that literature-rich programs are not right for every family.

As a bookworm, I obviously don't think reading is something to be discouraged. I just don't think we have to turn kids who don't love reading into kids who love classic literature.

Children are individuals who will have their own likes and dislikes. Once we are sure they can read well, comprehend what they are reading and apply what they've read to real life, I think it is okay to let them decide how much or little they read in their free time. In the book, How Children Learn, John Holt tells story of child who loved to build and learned how to read on a college level by reading instructions.

Is reading overrated? In some instances - yes. By all means, I don't think we should replace reading with extra Wii or TV time, but reading is not the only productive activity available. There are times I will tell my oldest (a bookworm) to stop reading and *gasp* go do some chores.

Homeschooling - Who's in the Driver's Seat? Parent or Child?

I will admit that, just like any other mom, I care whether or not my children are happy. I want them to look back on their years at home with fond memories, and I welcome their thoughts and opinions about things we do in our home.

However, it has never occurred to me that my children should be able to decide whether or not we continue homeschooling. As parents, that decision and its related consequences, belong to myself and my husband. That's why it baffles me to read about experiences like the one shared in this article.

In it, the author states,

"The first day of school came without having a structured social network in place. While everyone still expressed commitment to the homeschooling arrangement, I secretly experienced pangs of guilt as we watched other children walk the streets with their new lunch bags and backpacks. Were we depriving Isabel of an important cultural experience?

Since Izzy maintained homeschooling was what she wanted, we proceeded as planned."

I can relate to the author's feelings of doubt when everyone else was leaving for kindergarten and her child was still at home. I had similar feelings as a new homeschooler. However, I would never place the weight of the decision to proceed with homeschooling on a 5-year-old. As a parent, that's my burden to bear.

The author goes on to say,

"Two weeks into the school year, Izzy, being 5, naturally lost some of her gusto and began protesting. One particular day, I said, "If you were in regular school, you'd have to listen to your teacher. If you won't do the work for me, you're going to have to go to school."

I don't believe it's wise to use public school as a bargaining tool. If you've decided to homeschool, committ to stay the course for a pre-determined time period. Focus on working through the challenges you are facing instead of holding public school up as a threat or bribe, or worse, using it as an out.

More from the article,

"Perhaps if we were truly committed, we would have pulled rank and kept Isabel home. Over the course of a year, odds are we would have ironed things out. But because we desperately wanted Izzy's experience to be enjoyable, it seemed foolish to fight what she wanted, especially when it was the less complicated, traditional way." (emphasis added)

For me, this statement displays the author's true motives. I have unfortunately encountered this mindset on more than one occasion. This parent did not want to deal with the inherent challenges and doubts that come with homeschooling, and instead of owning up to those feelings, she blamed her decision to change course on her child's wants.

I have absolutely no problem when parents decide public school is best for their children. However, I think it's unfair to burden young children with adult decisions because we as parents are afraid to make them.