Bedtime Reading While Busy

My older daughters have been wonderful about helping Megan with her schoolwork these past couple of weeks.  I have been working a temporary job at a tax-preparation business.  I switched Megan to some workbooks and light reading for the duration.

However, I am determined that we continue read aloud time.  Megan has a book her sisters are reading to her during this time for school.  I have been reading to her for school and at bedtime.  I knew that I might not get to the school read aloud, but I have been determined to read at bedtime.  No matter how busy I have been, I have seen how awesome our bedtime reading has been.

We started one of my favorite books, The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Our read aloud time at bedtime is just a couple of chapters.  And yet, we both enjoy that precious time so much!  Megan also sleeps better than on nights we don't read.

It is becoming a habit.  At a certain time every evening, we stop what we are doing.  The TV is turned off.  Pajamas are  put on.  Teeth are brushed.  And then, while Megan colors or build blocks or finds a quiet activity, I read.

I love it so much that it is changing the way I homeschool.  Oh, some of the materials are the same, but my attitude is different.  I feel much more laid back, not so stressed about if we are doing enough or if what I am doing is challenging enough. I am not sure why, but I think it is because I see Megan learning so much from our read aloud time, and loving the process. 

I am looking forward to finishing my temporary job and diving back into our literature-rich homeschooling plans!