Anyone who knows our daughter, or even meets her for a short time, will know she never stops. At all. Ever. She is constantly on the go, moving, chattering, ‘doing’ something. Even when she is in her high chair eating, she will be jiggling around, dancing to music/TV, anything rather than just ‘be’.
I understand that this is the nature of childhood. I actually love her endless energy and desire to be active, but it is exhausting!
There is one way to stop the hurricane, that is our daughter and that is to read to her. She adores books, which is something I am very pleased about. I am glad she will know the feeling of being lost in a story, of using her imagination to give colour and life to the books she reads. I love reading and have spent weeks of my life doing just that over the years. I love the excitement that I feel, when one of my favourite authors publishes a new book; that there is another story for me to unfold.
Sometimes during our day, things will go quiet and I will pop my head round the door, to see her sat in a pile of books reading to herself. She looks so happy, it is amazing for me to see her like this, so content. A few times a day Baby will bring over to me, the book she wants me to read to her. She passes it to me and says ‘yes’ (this means read it mummy, or else!). She will happily have the same story read to her three times over. I ask her to go and get a new book and she will toddle off, pick another and the cycle starts again. I love this time, when she is lying on my front, with her head just under mine, totally engrossed in her story. The feeling of her soft hair on my face, as we read stories that I am sure we both know off by heart.
I love listening to Mr Hubby reading to Baby too. She plonks herself down on him and they go through the same ritual. There is something so special about seeing your baby with their daddy.
Our reading time is very special, a time of connection and not least a break from the craziness! Long may it continue.
I am linking up with the following fabulous bloggers and their lovely linkys.
Katie from Mummy Daddy Me for #OrdinaryMoments
Jaime at The Olivers’ Madhouse for #MagicMoments 
Charly at Podcast Dove for #What’sTheStory 
Comments 27
It’s so wonderful to see even tiny ones enjoying books. And sharing stories with a baby is something that parents can really treasure.
I love reading with the kiddos and the sight of them reading with their Dad still melts me so I know exactly what you mean. Xx
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It is so lovely xx
I have so many fond memories of reading to my four when they were small. All had their own favourite books – which I have of course kept!
It is so important to read and share books with children, even from the youngest age. I loved reading to my son when he was small.
My little ladies like a whirlwind too, never stops always on the go! She loves books too though, it gives us a moment to sit together and just be kinda calm and relax 🙂 Such cute photos!! #magicmoments
We started reading to 7yo when she was a baby, and she loves books now.
Reading to little ones is so important. It calms our toddler sometimes, but not always 🙁
We love reading too…just this weekend we took our 3 to the bookshop to each choose a book. Love the photo of you and her reading the In the Night Garden book!
You don’t know how familiar all of this sounds!! Our eldest has just turned 15 months and without story time to fall back on, I’d be worried his heart might explode from not ever slowing down!
I do love reading time with my two. Like Baby, they’re endlessly on the move, bouncing from one thing to the next, so it’s nice to have them still for a few moments each day!
We love reading time, it is always such a lovely part of the day. It is even more special now that Elle can read her books to US 🙂 x
Both my daughters love reading. I know they’re only 4 and 1, so don’t really read but they will (like your little one) spend time flicking through the pages just looking at the pictures. My husband and I have always read to them both, from when they were babies, so I think they know what’s happening on the pages through memory.
Reading is so important – it teaches them so much and is such a special time. I love our bed time ritual. Long may it continue.
My children prefer it when I do the bedtime reading as I act out all the different voices!
I loved reading this story! I used to love being read to, an frankly I still enjoy audio books. As a child, I hated reading myself, probably because I had to learn braille at age seven and hated that because it meant I was going blind. I’m glad I eventually learned it though. As for Baby, she’s obviously too young to read by herself yet (as in real reading), so I am glad she enjoys the time with you or Mr. Hubby reading to her.
Reading is such a lovely activity and it increases childrens knowledge too.
Mine adore reading too and it is the only other time (apart from eating) when they are quiet!
Hello there, I loved your post and it really struck a chord with me! My son is three and the only time he will stop for a moment is to read. He used to sit and beam at me in his bouncer when I read to him as a baby. Now we have at least three books at bed time and he is also starting to enjoy listening to stories on CD (though I prefer to read!) He is constantly on the go and it’s a chance for us to have a sit down for five minutes as well-as you say it can be exhausting keeping up with them, certainly makes me feel my age at times! xxx #magicmoments
Mine all adore books too, such a wonderful thing. It is definitely a moment of calm in otherwise hectic days! #MagicMoments
It’s good she enjoys book from such an early age!
Gorgeous, it’s so special to have a child who loves to read. Mine is a little loopy too but he will usually sit still for a story, definitely enjoy it xx
Yes, reading time is a wonderful way to connect with each other and to enjoy some quieter moments x
I used to read to Aiden from when he was a tiny baby and for the first three years of his life we had the same three books every morning! I’d fetch him from his room and bring him to my bed and I’d read the three books to him before we got up.
I think I’d still be able to tell those stories now without having to have the books in my hands!
Aww she sounds just like my little boy. He jumps constantly – even when playing computer games (and fair play he has the most fantastic tummy muscles). It is nice that she will sit still for a story. We had that book which clips to the pushchair.
My little man loves to read the same story over and over again too 🙂 #magicmoments
aww honey, having met your beautiful daughter i have to say i love her energy although could see if she was busy all the time it would be a little tiring.
Reading is such a fantastic thing to do and that she is enjoying it is so great!! xx
Thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments (sorry i am late to pop over)
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Thanks hun! She is a little crazy but adorable at the same time 🙂 xx