You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be-
I had a Mother who read to me.
The Reading Mother" by Strickland Gilliam
A mom whom I hadn't seen in a while came to story time yesterday. She came regularly with her first child, but just hasn't found herself able to do the same with her second. This led to a discussion about second children getting less than first kids, but generally, not really minding not getting all that stuff, because truthfully, not much of it sticks with them anyway
By the same token, I don't think the first children would miss all those "classes" and "Mommy and Me" activities much either. They're not likely even to REMEMBER much about them. After all, how much do YOU remember about your baby and toddler years?
But as we began story time, I realized one thing my parents did that I DO remember clearly from my early childhood.
They READ to me.
I don't remember every book. But I do still remember my favorites (many of which are listed in the picture book section on my sidebar), especially this book:
(I own an old battered copy that both my girls loved and happily it is back in print, so your local library SHOULD have a copy)
As a matter if fact, right before the program one of the moms had just asked for a childhood favorite of hers:
She remembered how she loved it and was now looking forward to reading it with her son.
So there you go, folks. Forget the classes, the clothes, the toys. Do what you can for your kids with the money you have--it's not truly going to matter in the long run, so don't feel guilty for what you can or cannot do.
Go to the library. Find some of your favorite books. Share them with your child. Spend time with them sitting in your lap, or cuddled next to you and READ!
Chances are, one of those books will be a cherished childhood memory when they have kids of their own.
So now, I open up the floor to you. What book (or books) do you love and remember from very early childhood?
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