R-E-A-D-I-N-G

Ok—we are all excited for our kids to learn how to read.  I remember the first word my daughter ever read.  PIZZA.  I wanted to bust colorful rainbows all over the joint.  I was super proud.  PIZZA!  Yes!!!!  This preschool thing is AWESOME!

There are lots and lots of benefits that make our life easier when it comes to our kids learning how to read.

• They can read their own restaurant menu.  This is nice.  They can read what sides the place has and different options.  Lovely

• They can read labels.  This is nice if you want to label their dresser drawers (as if that would help, but hey, it makes you feel a little bit more organized) 

• They can read their own story books.  This, folks, is by far the best thing about kids learning how to read.  No more reading Dr. Seuss over and over and over.  Yes, your right, reading to your child is a great bonding moment.  But when you have to read Dr. Seuss over and over with lots of perk you start rhyming things at work.  Then you start getting funny smirks.  Not cool.

What about the non-benefits?  Does anyone ever think about those?

I sure didn't.  I just couldn't wait for them to read.  I was so sick of Dr. Seuss that I was ready to hang myself from a noose.  Damn it.

http://venitism.blogspot.com/2013/05/greek-noose-greece-will-get-more-time.html

• Remember those days that if you didn't want your kids to hear something, you spelled it?   Those. Days. Are. Over. Forever.   

 Harsh reality moment:  in the beginning you forget they know how to read so you end up throwing yourself under the bus, with saying something like,  “I can’t wait for the kids to go to B-E-D so I can get some I-C-E-C-R-E-A-M”.  (Yes, I am guilty of hiding the chocolate chip ice cream in the freezer).   Next thing you know your kids are screaming they want ice cream.  Good going. So after throwing yourself under the bus numerous times you have it down.  

However, now, what about others around you?  The ones who spelled with you?    For instance your mom spelling, “S-A-N-T-A is going to bring Brooke a T-A-B-L-E-T”.  Or your friend saying, “We should go to a W-A-T-E-R-P-A-R-K”.  Nice, now the kids wont stop bugging you about a water park.

• Another non-benefit is when they find the art of reading all the road signs.  ALL OF THEM.  If they didn't get to read one in time, they want you to turn around so they can read it.  Getting them to understand there about a thousand more road signs to read on your trip is equivalent to spelling secret words.  No point.

• Remember those days when you can hand your phone over to your kid and let them play a game?  Sure, you can still do this, but make sure you delete all your text messages first or your little one will be reading about your friends last period and the zit that’s on her crotch.

Fun times.

So, to sum it up, before you get all impatient about wanting your kid to read, rethink.  Plus, it’s just ANOTHER harsh reminder that they are growing up.