With living in Alaska my family went camping a lot, I mean, A LOT! They were great times filled with playing games in the camper, dad making pancakes in the morning, picking wild blueberries, and the best of all... mom reading to us out loud..
Mom would go to the library before every camping trip, pick out a few children's books and would read them to us while we were driving, fishing, by the fire, and even while we were in our sleeping bags laying around at their feet. She would literally have to beg 
us to let her stop reading because her voice would be getting too hoarsed. Most free moments we had, we would ask her to read more. It is a fond memory that all us children have from our camping trips; plus, my love of reading came because she read so much to us.
us to let her stop reading because her voice would be getting too hoarsed. Most free moments we had, we would ask her to read more. It is a fond memory that all us children have from our camping trips; plus, my love of reading came because she read so much to us.This tradition has passed on to some of us in the family as well. My brother and his wife read the Harry Potter books aloud and got me hooked on them because of that. It became such a fun time for us read the Harry Potter books, that we made it a tradition. We even waited to read each book till we were all together and could read them aloud with one another... we even each had our own favorite character that we loved to play. I loved my sister-in-laws version of Dobby and I think I did a pretty good Umbridge... if I do say so my self. :)
So, for a family tradition that you can start is reading together as a family. Find out what books have gotten good reviews, pick some out from your local library, and curl up as a family to read. You don't have to go out camping to do this; pop some popcorn and grab some good blankets, if you have a fire pit, maybe make some s'mores while you read. What is wonderful, is that you can truly do this anywhere with your wonderful family, plus you are helping to encourage your kids to read, which is also nice.If you are looking for some good children's books, I have a list that I have posted, click here if you would like to see. Does anyone have any great suggesting for good family books?
Mr. Linky below if for people who are participating in Family Moment Monday, if you would like to receive an email and be reminded of Family Moment Monday than contact me and I will send you a reminder email. motherhoodfordummies@hotmail.com
werent you from a large family? and you all fit in a camper? wow. Nothing like the old days hehe. We read every night
ReplyDeleteReading as a family is awesome - we did that when I was growing up, I need to get us into the habit again now that Lil Sugar is here!
ReplyDeletereading aloud is my most favoritest thing. really if i could have "taught" read aloud all day to my 3rd graders i would have! and there were many days when i tried :)
ReplyDeletethank goodness beans love books as much as her mommy!!
ps - i have a little something for you over in my world.
Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deborah and James Howe is another great book to read with your family. It is the first book in a series and we enjoyed them all!
ReplyDeleteAs a former elementary teacher I can't emphasize the benefits of reading to children enough. I fondly remember being read to as a child as well. Some other great read aloud children's books are: The Tale of Despereaux, Walk Two Moons, Holes, The Chronicles of Narnia, Hoot, The Thief Lord, The BFG, Where the Red Fern Grows. I could go on and on, but those are the ones coming to my mind at this moment.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I are huge readers and I am so glad our daughter seems to have inherited our love of books. We read to her every chance we can. And definitely hope to make memories like the ones you have just described in this post!
ReplyDeleteWe read all the time. Usually it is the same books for a couple weeks and then we are aloud to change it up. My girls have their favorites! Pinkalicious is a book they both love, you should get it for Lucy. Maybe I'll send it to you for her birthday or something if you don't get it!
ReplyDeleteWe love reading as a family... it helps the kids fall asleep... just kidding, we love it! Some new books might be a great idea!
ReplyDeleteMy family is big on reading. The kids sign up for the summer reading program every year and usually read around 350 books. They all love to sit around and read during their free time. The two older ones will read to the younger ones, its great.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea! We are going on vacation next month and planning to bring a slew of games with us, but I've got a book or two I've been itching to share with the kids. I think I'll bring them along, too.
ReplyDeleteWe read alot to Ella as a baby and then got out of the habit and didnt do it as frequently as I would have liked. But now she is in the habit of wanting a bed time story before she goes to sleep. So I gladly read he one every night.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. Reading together as a family is wonderful from an educational standpoint and I also think it reinforces family bonding-- relaxed time spent together...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to write a family moment Monday but it's not finished yet.
Thanks for sharing.
OK, it's posted. Still working on the links.
ReplyDeleteWe just got back from the library! My kids LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteReading out loud is a great family activity. And an added bonus is that you can do it almost anywhere. We've often done it on long, transcontinental flights, instead of letting the boys play electronics all the time...
ReplyDeleteReading out loud while camping sounds heavenly :)
Heidi
We read ALL THE TIME. Oy... My voice is tired each night as we go to bed, but I know that these years will go by all too fast. And my eldest knows that I read with more inflection than Daddy does, and requests me. Hee hee!
ReplyDeleteWe have read the Harry Potter books together, as well. I remember, after the first one, Justin said "Wow! They sure changed a lot of things from the movie!" I had to explain that it was the OPPOSITE, and that movies are the ones changing the stories!
This reminds me of the days and nights we lived in Girdwood during the summer (picking berries and visiting the library) - it was just what we did, and we loved every minute of it. I read to the kids when we camp too, although of course they have so many more options for entertainment than we did - it's still important to unplug and just use your imaginations!
ReplyDeleteHey Melissa, its Aurie (bailey) I dont know if you remember me. I found your blog through Jessicas and was so excited. I have wondered what happened to you for forever. You have a beautiful family!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tradition. I once took a six-week road trip with a friend and we read Stephen King's The Stand (800 pages) out loud to each other - it was such a cool experience...
ReplyDeleteWe love to read together!
ReplyDeleteI love camping and I LOVE reading to my children, so this was a great post. :) Although, sometimes it's hard to find a book at home that doesn't have missing pages or bites taken out of them.... (I swear, I try my best to teach my children how to treat books lovingly, but THEY JUST DON'T LISTEN!)
ReplyDeleteI try to read to the girl, but she is more into flipping through the pages, It will be nice when she can sit through a story.
ReplyDeleteWe do reading time every evening around our house. My biggest triumph was the day when I told the kids that time was up and they asked for just a little more time.
ReplyDeleteMy husband isn't much of a reader but he doesn't mind it if I read to him so I always read him my favorite books.
Thanks for stopping by and the good ideas.
I am a huge reader and I hope and pray that my son will grow up to love reading as well. I hope he gets his athletic ability from his father and his love of books, art, etc. from me.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. I love that you post recipes and fun crafts. Thanks for sharing.
I agree.
ReplyDeleteReading is fundamental.(I always wanted to say that) *wink*
Reading together as a family is a great idea.
I am glad you let me off the hook on the camping thing.
Camping... not my thing.
Reading... so my thing.
Enjoyed your FMM!
I love reading to my girls! They love it, too! We aren't up to Harry Potter, but Dr. Seuss is good for us right now. I love the questions the girls ask as I'm reading. It makes me realize I'm not wasting my breath and they are listening!
ReplyDeleteI lived in a pup tent every summer while camping at the lake. I listened to all of my "one" albums I recorded to a "portable" cassette player or read till the fire went out. Those days were truly magical with infinite memory's of being young, camping and reading. Though we don't camp very often with our kids they do read a lot. My 10 year old son will devour a 400 page book in a couple of days and tell me all the details, most of which I quickly forget. Then he'll get me to read the book and it's all so familiar. There's nothing like a good story to spark the imagination or to instigate a conversion with the kids.
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