Friends who Blog together, Stay Together

Life is nuts. Anyone who says different is living in a box and not going outside much. That is why in this crazy journey we call life it is so important to have a tribe, a community, other people who you can rely in the moments when you aren’t even close to having your shit together.  This couldn’t be more important than when trying to raise kids and making sure they don’t turn into giant mutants who live your basement when you are 80.

I have been blessed beyond measure to ride through parenthood with some pretty swell gals who have slugged through the trenches with me. That saying “It takes a village to raise a child’ is one cliche I take to be a solid truth. No one does it alone. It is because of that concept that I met Jill. Our oldest kids have been in school together since kindergarten. I think it was in fourth grade when her son was Sebastian and my daughter was Ursula in the school play, that we truly got to know each other, and something clicked.  Knee deep in costumes for a lobster and a sea witch with tentacles like a squid, we became more than parents volunteering together, we became friends. Because let me tell you when you help costume over 50 kids in sea creatures outfits and help run herd on them together, when you come out on the other side your bond is pretty tight.

It is that bond that has led to one of the most important relationships in my life…..being friends with Jill Shrake. There is no one quite like Jill. She is loyal, smart, quick witted, loves a good story, and most of all she is talented in so many ways.  Jill has decided to take up blogging and impart on a new path in her life. She has decided to pursue blogging connected to freelance writing. I am here to tell you that you don’t want to miss out. “Why?” you ask. First, because Jill is one of the funniest damn people on earth. She can make me laugh until I  near pee my pants. Sometimes, my husband will call upstairs and say “why are you laughing so hard?” and my reply is “Jill!” I guarantee if you read her blog you will be endlessly entertained. She is a fantastic mother who is weathered some pretty big storms, only to come out on the other side stronger, wiser, and always ready to move forward. If you read her blog, you will learn from her. She will make you laugh, she will make you cry, and she will make you stop and think. Jill also takes some really badass photos, and we all need to be reminded of the beauty this world has to offer.

Queen Book Buff followers I am asking you to read and follow Jill’s blog. You will not regret it. My life is certainly better because I know Jill and I am certain your’s will be at the very least improved by listening to what she has to say.  So below you will find a link for her blog. Hit follow and get to know my friend. It was one of the smartest decisions I ever made.

https://shrakenthingsup.wordpress.com/

READ TO YOUR CHILDREN: Queen Book Buff Gets Hard Core

Dear World,

We are going to have a come to Jesus talk. This will be less than kind, but I don’t know any other way to say it, “STOP SCREWING AROUND AND READ TO YOUR KIDS.” You have heard it before, and you will hear it again READING IS IMPORTANT. It is actually freaking vital to life. You need to  be able to read. This book buff has gone back to work in a school. I am a teacher.  I have the education, I have the experience and I know what I am talking about, so when I say READ TO YOUR KIDS, I am not preaching the party line. I see a depressing amount of children who struggle with reading, don’t have any idea what to do in a library, don’t want to read, and just plain have ZERO interest. We do everything we can to foster, get them excited, and to develop reading skills in the classroom and library. The problem is if the book that gets sent home stays in the book bag and you don’t ask questions, the buck stops with you.   Reading is the most important skill your child will ever learn. Starting in kindergarten and through the second grade your child will be learning to read, and then in the third grade they will be expected to read to learn. Do you understand what that means? That means reading and comprehending material to gain knowledge. It means understanding and be able to read directions in all subjects. Remember those pesky story problems from when you were a kid? Well they are not one or 2 problems at the bottom of the page, now they are a basic part of math curriculum. They need to be able to read to do math.  Non Fiction text books are not written for low readers. They will need to read to understand facts and apply them to their lessons. YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO READ. Sure, I know people go through their whole lives completely illiterate.  Awesome, they spent their lives struggling, they spent their lives trying to find ways to function in a world that is filled with words. Do you really want your kid to struggle? Do you really want your child to possibly not seek higher education and advantages, because they can’t read or it is a huge frustration for them?    Oh, Queen Book Buff you say “My child hates to read!” “What am I suppose to do?”  “I am not a teacher” you gasp with frustration and eye rolling.

Well I am glad you asked

1. Read to them, with them, and even at them if you have to.

2. Call your kid’s teacher and ask what you can do to help support their reading skills and growth.

3. Do the research!  What are their interests? See if you can find books on topics they like.  You live with the kid, you should know what they like.

4. GO TO THE LIBRARY ask your local librarian what books are out there. This person has a MASTER DEGREE IN LIBRARY SCIENCE! They are highly qualified to help you and your child find books. Most libraries have great programs that get kids excited to be in the library. Trust them! While they may look strange, I promise the library is on your side. The best part of all is IT IS FREE! Yep, you pay nothing and they give you stuff!

5. Don’t be a book snob. If your kid wants to read Batman comic books to you, then let him or her. The key word in Comic book is book. Whatever they want to read that sparks interest, let that be your gateway. I told a parent once, if your child wants to read a book on how to reach every level on Super Mario Brothers then let him. We will work our way up to Harry Potter.

6. Don’t give them a reading game on a DAMN electronic device. Try really hard to  foster the love of reading and develop the skills without using  something that TAKES you out of the equation.  (This is my personal feeling)

7. You need to read. Our children learn by example. They follow what they see. You read and show a love for it, then they will follow that. I don’t care what you read, just do it. You want to read the latest baseball stats, that is just fine. Just read them in front of your kid.

8. MAKE TIME! Turn off your show and read a book with your kid. Just do it. Read for the skills your child is growing and Read for the memories and relationship you are building.

Please know that I get and understand all the socioeconomic circumstances that starts a child off with little to no exposure to reading and basic skills. I understand all about families that are stuck in the poverty cycle, and that survival is more important than books. I have worked in low income schools and volunteered in centers that most people will not even venture into. I understand demographics and all the things that our kids have to overcome. I am begging that even if these are your circumstances, look at the books your kid brings home. Do what you can, and tell the school what you can and can’t handle, but please don’t ignore the importance of your child reading.

When your kiddo comes home with a card with three stars on it, and says “I have to read my easy reader  three time, can I read with you?” If you say no, or you brush it off, you are telling your kid that reading is not important.  We are doing everything we can to help your kids learn, we can’t do it all by ourselves. We can give star cards, punch cards, and do all sorts of things to get kiddos to read, but if you do nothing we are fighting a battle knowing the cavalry is never coming.  READ TO YOUR KIDS!

Well the preaching is over, until the next time….

Queen Book Buff