Saturday, November 15, 2008

What?

My ten year old told me something that no writer ever wants to hear from her own offspring.  She said (and she was very serious), "Mom, I hate to read."

"WHAT??????"  I asked, very calmly (not really).  How could she not like to read?  Where had I failed her?  By the age of ten I had read every single book in my mother's library, devoured them, and searched for more. 

"I just don't.  I'm a sporty girl," she told me casually.  

It's true.  She plays every single sport that her school offers for her age group.  She recently finished volleyball and now basketball season is upon us.  In the spring she'll do track and all summer long she swims.  I am so very proud of her.  But isn't there room for reading?  I bring home the greatest books for her, she checks out others from the library, she just isn't interested in ever reading them.

I'll blame it on my husband, the jock. (Whoever thought the nerdy bookworm would marry the popular jock?)  Standing at 6'8", this man is one of the most coordinated people I know.  He played basketball in high school and college and still enjoys a good pick-up game.  And you should see him on a wake board. (actually I'll post a pic of him on a wakeboard)  So obviously his genes are stronger than mine.  How dare his coordination genes overpower my nerdy bookworm genes.  

Sigh.  I still have hope.  There are three other children.  My influence will not be overpowered.  :)     


19 comments:

  1. If you show the world what your husband is capable of on a wakeboard, everyone will agree that you don't stand a chance.

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  2. I know, right? Please don't rub it in, Kevin.

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  3. Six eight? Holy cow, he could eat Kiersten!

    Yeah, I think I'd have a little freak out myself if my kid said that. Luckily, my 2 yr old loves to read so far, and I'm working on the eight month old:)

    It true though, some people just don't enjoy it. I think they are crazy, but hey, they can still be good people. My sister, for example. Great person, not so in love with reading.

    I guess it's not the end of the world, heh.

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  4. Maybe tailor the books to her interests? Sports related stories? Are there any series books with school athletes as characters?

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  5. There is hope. My daughter was a jock--played softball all through school--but in the midst of it--learned to love books!
    And wow--your husband looks like a pro! tell your daughter she can have the best of both worlds!

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  6. Natalie, yes, he could totally eat Kiersten and then look around for seconds. And I guess there are more things to life than reading ... maybe.

    Joanne, I actually haven't tried that yet. Maybe I will have to look for a sports-themed series, and if it doesn't exist, maybe I'll have to write it. :)

    Terri, I haven't given up hope yet. It's good to hear about your daughter. I really do hope mine can still learn to love it. Maybe she'll end up being a good combo between me and my husband. (although, I shouldn't sell my husband short, he likes to read. But he has also been known to say, "if it's been made into a movie, why would I need to read it?" Yeah, I cringe when he says it too.)

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  7. I'm usually of the opposite opinion, by the way. I think to myself: 'If it's been made into a movie, it must be an amazing book.' I haven't met a single movie that I liked better than the book it was adapted from. No, wait, just one, I won't say which.

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  8. You'll be totally O.K. with your daughter not loving to read, once she goes pro (at whichever sport she likes best) and puts you guys up in a sweet mansion. Perhaps she'll even pay off her aunt's house (hint hint). Forget reading, forget school, she'll make more money than all of us book loving, degree holding people anyway. :)

    I've been behind on reading your blog so just got caught up. VERY entertaining. Love the pic of you and Stephanie.

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  9. Oh no!

    It's kind of like when my little sister (who is ten years younger than me) said she "hated all classical music." I was like, "Excuse me?"

    But, hey, you never know if she might come around. My husband was a big time jock in high school, then he went to college and ended up a book loving Philosophy major. So, you never know. :)

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  10. Come on Kasie, let's be honest here. I've seen you on a wakeboard too, and you're not too shabby yourself!... But when you consider that we've come up with several acronyms (S.H.O.T. I & II) so that we don't have to say full titles of books anymore, I guess nerdy bookworm wins out!

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  11. Candi, don't out me in front of my bookworm friends. :) Do you think Jared would be offended if I brought S.H.O.T. 1 or 2 to the lake next time? Speaking of, two is ready for you whenever you want it. Just kidding, Jared, I would never bring books on the boat. (just in case he is reading this--he likes to lurk)

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  12. How about I get SHOT 2 and then when I'm done reading we can just have book club on the innertube? Teehee, Jared would love that!

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  13. I think we'd be violently flipped off the tube if we did that. LOL. BTW, Jared is still trying to squeeze one more boat trip in before it gets too cold. Are you and Neal in?

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  14. Don't blame your husband for his awesomeness, it sounds like he can't help it. As for your daughter, try spanking her with books. It will send a powerful message to her psyche that books must be continually read into submission, like wild boars, or they will violently attack you.

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  15. Dr. Phil,
    Wow, you are so deep and insightful. Thank you for your new-age advice. I would have never thought of it, but it makes complete sense. By the way, who referred you to my blog? Was it my awesome husband? Has he been calling you to complain about me and my obsessive behavior? :)

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  16. oops, that comment above was really me. My daughter must've signed in on my computer.

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  17. Don't give up hope! Jared and you are the equivolent of Candi and I. I used to hide her books so she'd throw the ball with me. Now I love reading as well!

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  18. I loved reading Dr. Phil's advice. He's so wise. Maybe one day he'll take the time to comment on my blog. (I can only hope).

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  19. Nicki, If she turns out as awesome as you, then there is hope.

    Emily, unless Jared has been complaining to Doctor Phil about you, I don't think that he'll make a comment on your blog. Sorry, he saves his comments for those in need of some serious help. :)

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