We love books around here. We have more books then we even know what to do with. Bookshelves full of hardcover books. Gutters full of soft-cover books.
It has actually gotten to the point where the books are stacked and organized. All the transformer books together, the Justice League together, etc. The thing about kids is they really like reading the same book over and over again. If you buy a book for them–it will be loved.
I’m a huge proponent of reading. If you want to be smart, you read. If you want your kids to be smart, you read to them. The bigger the variety, the better. Variety means more chances to expand their vocabulary and their exposure to certain concepts, story lines, plots, writing styles and genres.
I personally am a huge fan of Kevin Henkes books. Like adore. I may have cried at a few. I really love Chrysanthemum*, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse* and Julius, the Baby of the World*.
When I was student teaching in a second grade classroom the students had to write letters to a character in the book. The little girl wrote a letter to Lilly and she was all, “You think you are so cool with your purple purse, but your aren’t!”.
When it comes to reading we make it a habit of reading to the kids before bed. It was one thing when we had one kid, but now we have 3! It is tricky and sometimes I flirt with the idea of stopping. Ross and I each read the kids a book so they get two books a night. This way, if I fail to make time to read the rest of the day, I don’t have to feel bad. Plus, it is a quiet way to wind down from a long day. We just lay down in bed with them all snug and read so it is great cuddling time. I’m usually the last one to tuck in Quinn and Eleanor. Ross starts them while I am nursing Hudson for bed and then I go up and finish. After the story, we turn off the light and snuggle for a bit and talk about our day or whatever is on the kids minds.
This is actually one of my favorite parts of the day, because I never quite know where the conversation is going to go. There are lots of hugs and kisses and snuggle buggles as Eleanor would call them. I try to make a point of telling the kids how special they are and how much I love them every.single.night. A fly on the wall might here things like, “I love you so much. You make my heart so happy. I had so much fun with you today. Thank you for sharing your day with me. I love watching you use your imagination. I love you so much my beautiful girl. You are so smart and strong and kind and funny. I’m so lucky I get to be your mom.”
And you know what they do? They just lay there. They lay there so quietly and they soak it all in. I say it to them every.single.day, because I know that my voice has to be the loudest. Louder then the TV, or the magazines, or the friends or the self-doubt that will creep in. I say it every day because I want them to believe it with every fiber of their being. I say it every day, because I believe it.
The best part is when you hear them take that dialogue and use it. “You are the best mom ever. I love you so much. I’m so lucky. You make make me so happy”. Or your hear them use it with each other, “You are the best brother ever”.
Did I digress? I totally digressed.
So now you know how to make your kids smart and confident–or at least that is the plan and how to store all those darn books.
I know I am sharing Quinn’s room today, but Eleanor has a similar set up with a bookshelf and gutters. You can check that out here.
What is your bedtime routine? How do you store your books? What are some of you or your kid’s favorites?
Looking for my kid room inspiration? Check out all the kid room posts below!
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