We all know reading is great for your kid’s brain. But let’s get to the real appeal: reading is just plain great for dads.
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The weather outside is frightful. And the holidays are over, so I won’t quote the rest of that delightful little tune.
But if you’re a parent, activities during the stormy season can be difficult to continuously dream up. I remember meeting a mom of two young children at the park. They had recently moved to Bogota (where we used to live) from Boston, and when I asked if she missed New England, her retort was full of passion.
NO! Five months cooped up in an apartment because of freezing temperatures and icy roads?
That’s hard enough if you’re flying solo. It’s near impossible with toddlers.
Still, we all get stuck at home sometime. And while I’m guilty of popping on a movie or a string of Dora episodes, I try to shove in as many books as possible.
Why is reading the best thing to do on a rainy (or otherwise weather-unfriendly) day?
For starters, its learning benefits are unparalleled.
I love reading because I get to sit down. Yeah. I said it.
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But we all know that, so let me get to the fun stuff.
I love reading with my kids because it gives me a chance to tell them about the world. To show them a picture with a balloon, and remind them of that one time, that birthday party or vacation, or that day at the grocery store when I was too tired to say no at the checkout line. All those times when we bought a balloon. Together.
I love reading with my kids because I get to sit down. Yeah. I said it.
I love reading with my kids because I love big words and broad vocabularies, but my brain isn’t always able to do that on its own. So I love books because they put all these gorgeous words I love smack in front of my face, and then I know my kiddos are getting to hear them too.
I love reading with my kids because they sit on my lap, or beside me. They have to do this, in order to see the pictures. So it’s a nice way for me to trick them into impromptu cuddling.
I love reading with my kids because I get to hear and watch their reactions to characters, to settings, to colors, to action. Reading is a way for me to get to know them better, to find out what makes them laugh, and be moved by their empathy.
“Is that tiger cold? Does he need a blanket?”
Direct quote from my daughter.
So if you find yourself stranded by winter weather, grab a book or seventeen, and settle in. It’s gonna be a great indoors kind of day.
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Photo: Flickr/jinglejammer