This Kid Loves to Read

re: This Kid Loves to Read

leahsmom — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:30:13 GMT

You know, I think a lot of parents feel that the biological connection is really important - adoptive parents, or parents who are strongly anti-adoption, both must struggle with concerns that you just can't love a child who is not related to you in the same way you'd love one that is. Even our language is set up that way - many people refer to biological children (my MIL included) as "one of your own." It's a real fear, and is scary to many people. I'm so proud of you for braving it, and for coming to the realization that you can love a child with all your heart, no matter how close his DNA is to your own - and maybe your story can add to the stories of other fosterers and -ees, adopters and -ees, to help people realize that yes, the fear is there, but that it will be OK if you go ahead and take the plunge!

re: This Kid Loves to Read

knockedup — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:06:51 GMT

These pictures are great - I especially love the shot of Ty sitting in his little yellow chair.

I, too, read too much VC Andrews when I was in my early teens - I think one book is probably one too many, but all that torid love affair stuff just sucks you in, doesn't it? I still think of arsenic when I see powdered donuts...

re: This Kid Loves to Read

EG — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:04:43 GMT

My Little Man is just now getting interested in books, thank goodness.

I spend a lot of time (uselessly, I know) fretting about how to have a kid who is true to himself, whether that means playing the tuba or playing football or joining a Dungeons and Dragons club. And not fretting about fitting in, and if by some genetic fluke he's popular and athletic, not making others sweat for not fitting in.

Is it possible?

re: This Kid Loves to Read

Marie Eve — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:46:17 GMT

This is adorable! I have a Master's in French Lit, and seeing the genuine interest my son has in books is also one of the things that makes me happiest and most proud!...

Thanks for the recommendations too, I'll check them out (we speak French at home but I'm buying as many English-language books as I can for him).

re: This Kid Loves to Read

mombo — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:16:00 GMT

A great book we just discovered at the library is "Please Baby, Please!" by Spike Lee and his wife. My son got the biggest kick out of the fact that the adults are the ones saying please to the little girl. (And the girl in the story has the feminine version of Ty's hairdo). It's a super cute book and we definitely relate to the message.

re: This Kid Loves to Read

Dan in WI — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:02:30 GMT

That yellow chair pic, especially with the bear seated alongside---is the MOST PRECIOUS ever!

Your preteen years sound a lot like mine--books, violin, glasses, track (although that ended in 8th grade with a knee problem), and an annoying bus ride (mine was more like 15 minutes, though). I'd have ridden my bike to school every day if it hadn't been for the violin (I still play).

It's exciting that Ty's so into books and even forming opinions about which ones he likes. It's yet another wonderful gift that you are nurturing that, and this is the best time to do so.

re: This Kid Loves to Read

chyna823 — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:55:57 GMT

Oh, I love the photo of Ty in the yellow chair--it really looks like he's reading the book himself!

And I agree--Todd Parr is awesome. My daughters have at least 6 or 7 of his books, and have taken many more out of the library.

re: This Kid Loves to Read

Melissa — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:52:20 GMT

Love the 70s picture! It brings me back (I'm 1 year younger).

I see Ty's reading Dr. Suess's ABC, one of Michael's favorites. We read board books because the urge to bend/rip/rend asunder regular pages is strong in Michael and I haven't gotten to the point where destroying books doesn't make me cringe.