Why We Won't be Signing up for the Library's Summer Reading Program (Moms' 30-Minute Blog Challenge)

Libraries are magical places.

One summer when I was ten or 11, I rode my bike to my school's library every day. I got there when the doors opened and spent three happy hours until it closed.

Every day.

I fell in love with books. The librarian and I became good friends; occasionally I helped her with special library projects (This made me feel so important!).

I look back on that summer as one of the best of my childhood. Much of my future was sealed in that room as a ten-year-old.

And nobody had to force me to be there.

These days I load up my sweet crew of three and we head together to the magical reading place. Cheers erupt from the gang when I announce our plans for the day.

Often my voice is hoarse by the time we leave the library, and I have to finally say, "Mommy has to take a break from reading for a few minutes."

Now it's my children's turn to fall in love--with pages, words, images, stories.

They don't need pizza coupons, tacky plastic gizmos that break on the way home, or piles of stickers to do so.

A book is its own treasure.

If our children don't recognize the prize within the pages, then it's our fault, not theirs.

Ours--for thinking kids never learn anything unless they are forced or rewarded. Ours--for making education so boring that they'll do anything to get out of it.

If you want your kids to love books, don't promise them a free ice cream cone.

You have to love them yourself. Inspire, respect, nurture, share.

Then you won't need to bribe.

(A note: As the post shows, I think libraries and hardworking librarians are amazing. As mamas, I just think we should be intentional in making these types of decisions. If you have a book-loving kiddo already who wants to participate in a summer reading program, then that's awesome. I would likely let my children sign up if they wanted to--because I know that the love of learning is already there. So go forth and read lots!)

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Jamie is founder of this little spot called Steady Mom, editor of the blog Simple Homeschool, mama to three cute kids born on three different continents, and author of Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood.

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