Comments for Being Michael's Daddy

Comment on Literatorture by Tracey - JustAnotherMommyBlog

Tracey - JustAnotherMommyBlog — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:38:07 +0000

It will happen. It will happen. Keep repeating that to yourself. Like most things in life, reading happens when we least expect it. Make sure to have books that are below his level so that he can read one with more ease and feel confident (even if it's only 1-3 words a page). Then you read a harder one to him and see if he can pick out the words within it. I've had a slow to learn reader and it really has worked! He is now reading above his "level" and I can't believe it, but he actually LIKES TO READ! Good luck!

(MD) Thanks for dropping in, Tracey! I appreciate the suggestion; having something he can breeze through would be a huge boost for his confidence and provide a gateway to greater challenges. It's funny, I don't recall such a struggle with his older sisters... but most of my life before 2004 is a smudgy blur by now anyway. Glad your son likes to read! That is very encouraging.

Comment on Literatorture by Melisa

Melisa — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:22:00 +0000

You are both saints. And excellent parents.

(MD) You're too kind. I'm sure our halos would tarnish quick if I didn't edit heavily. But I appreciate the kind words! Parenting is hard work.

Comment on Literatorture by Grandma K.

Grandma K. — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:12:02 +0000

Michael is somewhat of a contrarian and very stubborn. He will read up a storm when he decides he wants to read! Keep up the great parenting--you two are awesome!

(MD) Thank you. I'm sure once he gets the momentum he'll take off and soar with it. It's getting the pump primed that's the hard work.

Comment on Literatorture by ann

ann — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:58:16 +0000

This is great, could never believe the old Dad had so much patience!!! Wow. I am impressed.
Michael’s role in life seems to be just that- teaching patience; it is a continued theme.
Michael is plenty smart so not sure why the reluctance to read. It will all get ironed out
I am sure. Not to worry, leave that to me!!! Love, Gramann

(MD) One of the reasons I started this blog is because I knew in my gut he’d be testing me throughout his life, and I wanted to document it for him to read when he’s got kids of his own. I’m pretty sure he’ll be reading by then.

Comment on Literatorture by michaelsownmom

michaelsownmom — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:50:29 +0000

Sister S had a really hard time learning to read. I am starting to get a complex about this. I was not impatient with either of them. S came out of her “reading is torture” phase with the Twilight books and sisters B n L like to read so there is hope for Michael.

(Hubby) Poor sweetie! It’s not you – you’re being plenty patient. I think Michael just knows and heavily exploits your soft spots. Don’t worry about it – as you say, sister L is big reader so there’s hope. It’ll kick in soon enough.

Comment on Literatorture by WeaselMomma

WeaselMomma — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:05:43 +0000

1/2 of the Weasels love to read and always have. The other 1/2 see it as punishment in the harshest of Medieval tradition. I love to read, but cringe each and every time one one of the Weasels wants to read something to me. I don't have the patience to move at someone else's gray matter speed.

(MD) Sometimes you gotta bite the bullet. Like when a sticky, slobbery little fist shoves a goldfish cracker in your mouth, and you have to say "oh, yum!" and try not to heave.

Comment on Sleep Wreck by Otter

Otter — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:54:24 +0000

That is exactly what it feels like, crashing into a wall going about 150 mph. Well said.

(MD) The crash is bad enough... what's worse is the road rash that you get after bouncing along the proverbial asphalt that really gets you; the effect of "wha? wha? where am I?" that lingers until you are truly awake.

Comment on Sleep Wreck by MichaelsOwnMommy

MichaelsOwnMommy — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:40:09 +0000

We did find out later that sister S set her alarm early so she could get used to waking early for when school starts. She just didn’t think ahead to the weekend and that she was spending the night at a friend’s house. I did send her text messages early in the morning.

(MD) One day she’ll come home to find that confounded alarm clock impaled on a pike next to her bed. That should get the message across.

Comment on Sleep Wreck by SurprisedMom

SurprisedMom — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:59:09 +0000

This is a very vivid story. Part of me wants to pat you on the back for the wonderful way you wrote it and the other part of me wants to extend sympathy to you for being so rudely awakened.

Did you ever find out why the teen set her alarm so early? Did Michael blame Sister S for waking him up? Did you put a moratorium on alarm clocks set for ungodly hours on the weekend? I probably would have thrown it out the window being the morning person that I am.

(MD) I never did find out what the point was of the early Saturday alarm. Teenage girls are not only incomprehensible, they’re often unintelligible as well.

Comment on Sleep Wreck by WeaselMomma

WeaselMomma — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:36:35 +0000

Very creative. I'm impressed that you could write this while in your sleep deprived state!

(MD) Some of my best stuff comes to me while I'm half awake. Of course, some of the most bizarre stuff comes to me while I'm half awake too, so...