10 Books That Get Boys Interested in Reading

Do you have a son who is a reluctant reader? 

I do. 

Oh, he can read very well. Once he finds something that interests him he will read it OVER and OVER and OVER. 

He won't, however, choose to sit down with a book for fun. He doesn't DEVOUR a wonderful story like his 12 year old sister will. (At this age she was reading Harry Potter, Cornelia Funke, and Dear America.)

He doesn't CRAVE a good book like I do.  When I let him choose a book to read he always picks the one with the least amount of pages. (sigh)

Click to read more ...

Being the Mom of a Boy (In Which You See Me on Video)

 

Being the Mother of a Boy is Perhaps One of The Greatest Joys of My Life. 

My little guy brings me so much love and happiness... he brings kisses and winks and all kinds of things that melt my heart.  The background noise of hummed Star Wars music and getting whacked accidentally by light sabers all go with the territory of being his mom!  


Even when the day is over and I sit down... he has left  surprises on my camera phone...

Last week he and I went to "Date Knight", a special evening for mothers and sons from Chick fil-A restaurants.   This was so timely, because we have been studying Medieval history.  We have talked about chivalry and the knight's code of honor.   

My husband spoke to my son before we left about opening the doors for me and being a good date.   It was very cute, I must say.   My date looked so handsome.  

We had a lovely evening.   GMan was famished by the time we got to the restaurant... he ate in about 2 minutes flat and then asked if he could go and play in the play place.  I said to him:  "A sweet boy waits for his date to finish eating."  He replied (ever so sweetly), "I will wait for you.... in the play place."   How could I argue with that logic?   So, off to the play place he went.   I was left to talk with the other moms whose sons had left them.   It was rather humorous.

(Did you happen to read 5 Things I've Learned as a Boy Mom?  It was so timely.... I finished writing this post and stumbled on it a couple of days later.   What an "a-ha" moment for me. ) 

The road to training this little boy will be too short I know... for now I will do the best I can to help him be the person God intends.  

{ And I will always remember fondly his obsession with the Chick fil-A Cow and how we have called him the "Cow Stalker" since he was just able to walk! }

 

I bribed him out of that play place (where tons of little boys were wielding their balloon swords) about 30 minutes later with a brownie Sunday.  We enjoyed a wonderful dessert together.  At least he can be bribed with chocolate.  


Another thing I can always bribe him with is Legos!  He'll always want to sit and build something with his mom, and for that I'm so grateful.   


My friend, Melissa, had the great idea to have a LEGO Friday challenge each week between her son and my son.  Each week they take turns issuing a challenge and then report to each other via a YouTube video.   


This past week the theme was "Mother-Son Time"... featuring something we love to do together.  We also had to build the creation together.   I hope you enjoy the video we created.   Pardon my novice video skills - next time we'll hold the iPhone sideways to get a more full picture.   I'm still learning!  


Making these videos is also a great time for me to talk with my son about speaking in complete sentences, using the word "yes" instead of "yeah", and other speaking skills.  


Oh -- and I'm also a little nervous to actually be on camera for the world (well, at least those that read my blog!) to see... I'd love to try vlogging, so maybe this is getting my feet wet for that.  

   

What are some special things you enjoy doing with your son?   (or daughter, if you don't have a boy!)

How to Keep This Boy Busy?

If you can't tell, I adore my five year old son. Even before he was born I knew he was going to be a hand full - from three months of bedrest to a 6 week premature birth, I knew this child wasn't going to be quiet or boring in any way! His zest for life is amazing! I am blessed to spend my days with him, because he is a willing learner and is quite bright. He loves anything having to do with baseball, whether it be playing baseball, watching baseball, organizing baseball cards, or copying the names of every Atlanta Braves player. (I'm not kidding about that last one... he saves the programs from the games and copies the roster.)

He enjoys reading - especially if it's a reader book about baseball or any kind of animal. He also is addicted to numbers... the clock intrigues him and he loves to work in his math book. Sometimes I wonder if he's really mine!

I do, however, have a problem, and I need some help. I struggle with ways to keep him busy while I read aloud with my nine year old daughter. There are some books that really keep his attention, and others that I know just won't - and that's ok with me. He will color while listening, play with playdoh, or create things with Legos or blocks.

(isn't our dog the cutest thing you've ever seen?)

Sometimes I let him play at the computer, but I try to limit that at his young age. Other times he will go into our garage and record how many times he bounces the playground ball (many days he gets to 1,000!) or practices his tball swing. That being said - there are times when he runs out of things to do and I'm at a loss.

How do you handle this in your house? Leave me a comment and let me know if you have ideas for a physical, smart, energetic five and half year old boy!
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