One of my favorite memories from growing up is when my siblings and I would pile onto the top bunk for a “reading party”. We brought pillows and our giant stuffed tiger to make a “nest”, before settling down with our books. We older kids would have a chapter book, and the younger ones would each haul up their stack of picture books, and then we would spend a blissful hour or so in silence, engrossed in our own stories, but still enjoying each other’s quiet company.
I’m attempting to bring this tradition into my own home now. When I need a few minutes of peace, but am unwilling to surrender to the television, I announce that we’re having a reading party. My four kids (ages 1-7) scramble to grab pillows and rearrange our family room furniture to make “nests” for themselves. They each grab a pile of picture books to flip through. I give them five minutes to get their space ready, and then it’s time to read silently. It’s glorious. And parents, the kids are tickled when you bring your own book and join them.
As my children get older, I’m hoping to turn reading parties into an evening activity much like “movie night” and “game night”. In fact, Beth and my parents have been doing this lately (minus the nests). As it is, my one-year-old sits still for 30 seconds tops, and my 3 year-old is mostly concerned about her pile of books being taller than those of her brothers. Even so, reading parties have already brought delight to our family life, and it’s an activity we will continue to train our children in. I encourage you to try it out with your own family!
- Katy
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