Moms Like Books Too

While I was pregnant, I often distracted myself with books and bookshop browsing. I reread The Grapes of Wrath and discovered some new favorites, like, The Secret History by Donna Tartt. However, as my second trimester turned into the third, I was more likely to be found in the children’s and parenting sections of the bookstore.

On a spring time trip to Powell’s Books, I found Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman. The rich illustrations drew me in, but upon reading the words, “My promise to you is you are never alone,” I immediately turned into a blubbering, hormonal mess which meant, of course, I had to buy this book.  In the nearly five months since my daughter’s birth, I have read this book to her many, many times.

But, as my little one’s literary horizons expand, mine dwindle. The unread books pile-up, unopened. After she goes to bed, I’m often finishing laundry or other household chores. If I do have time to read, I feel obliged to pick-up a book on parenting. It’s not that I don’t read at all. I did read Wuthering Heights (again), but in the time it took Heathcliff and Catherine to self destruct, my baby started holding her head up, rolled over for the first time, and learned to sit-up. That’s right; my infant conquered three major developmental milestones in the time it took me to read one novel.

I can’t help it. When it comes to reading, I’m focused on my child’s development rather than my own. That’s why I was super excited when “Reading with Your Baby” was the topic at Evergreen Hospital’s Parent-Baby Group. No surprise, everyone agrees the best way to raise a reader is to read to your baby, but we also got some great tips on specific books that babies love.

After the class, we added Chica Chica Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault to our library. My daughter loves the bright pictures and rhyme. I love the repetitive use of the alphabet in a fun, fresh way. We also got a copy of Baba Haha which captivates its infant audience with simple faces drawn in contrasting black and white. Baba Haha is out of print, but one of the exceedingly resourceful mothers in the group found a source online and placed a bulk order. (Awesome!)

The best tip of the day, however, is not a children’s book, after all. It turns out that reading to your baby is not the only way to encourage her to read. It’s just as important for children to see their parents reading. It’s simple: Parents who read naturally raise children who read.

This is pretty much all the excuse I need to pick-up a novel on a regular basis. Of course, I’ll continue to read to my daughter everyday. Cuddling with her and reading Wherever You are My Love Will Find You borders on a spiritual experience. But I want her to know that Mom likes to read too. That means I can’t wait for her to be fast asleep before I pull out my own book. And who knows, if I get in a few extra pages while she’s playing in her exersaucer, I might get through my next novel before she starts walking.  

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Laura Latta is a writer and stay-at-home mom. She lives with her husband and baby girl in the Juanita Neighborhood of Kirkland. She can be reached at lauralatta08@gmail.com.