I have been bragging about how well we were doing with reading this summer. But alas, all good things must come to an end. We have been slacking lately, really since vacation. We took books with us on our trip...didn't crack one, and I am okay with that. It was vacation!
Now that we are home, I am struggling to get them back to reading at least a few days a week. My newest ploy is to have them bring a book in the car when we are running errands. They usually go for the iPod or gaming system when we hit the car for the day. So, on occasion I make them bring a chapter book instead. Most days they don't mind. Today, my soon-to-be fourth grader asked just why he had to bring a book instead of his DS. I explained briefly about the ole "if you don't use it you lose it" syndrome that comes with summer vacation. To which he replied (with an eye roll that went so far back in his head I thought he'd never see straight again) "Geesh mom, do you always have to talk like a teacher?"
Guilty as charged! They lament at times the fact that I'm a teacher by trade. But, when it comes to me being home with them in the summer, they're okay with it! Now, my husband is very proud that he married a teacher. When it comes to homework and all that "school stuff", he can throw his hands in the air and say "Ask your mom!" He does his fair share, don't get me wrong. But when it comes to homework, he loves my career of choice!
On a side note, my soon-to-be seventh grader let slip this week that he is anxious for school to start. I almost fell off my chair! The one who laments waking up before 10 AM, the one who begs for days when we don't have to go anywhere...he wants to go back to school. Upon further questioning, he admitted it is mostly so that he can see his best buds every day! (I knew there was a catch.) But, nonetheless, he is looking at the light at the end of the tunnel that is summer vacation. We saw them pulling out the school supplies at one of our local stores today, and that hits hard when it is mid-July. There are days when I think I am ready for them to go back, but for the most part, I am happy with just dealing with our daily struggle to read a little and get in some math. I am not ready for daily homework!
Are your kids getting that itch to go back?