NO! I don't WANT to!!!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Published on January 5, 2006 By HC1240 In Home & Family

These were my son's exact words as I tried to convince him that he would love the book I was going to read him. He refused to believe that MY choice of reading could possibly be something he would enjoy, particularly since it didn't contain pictures. He fussed and fidgited (however you spell that), his voice escalating with each protest. He grew so loud and impertinent that his father entered the picture. Joel promptly swept him into the other room and sternly informed him that he was NEVER to speak to his mother in that tone of voice, and, in his *ahem* convincing way, pursuaded my five-year-old to return to the living room with his sisters (ages 10 and 16) to hear the story.

He sat, at first petulant, and did his best (without saying a word) to appear annoyed, or at the very least, bored. He drew circles with his fingers on his pajamas... stared off into space... bounced his foot as though he were about to take off running. This continued through... oh... the first paragraph.

I hadn't been reading three minutes before he was totally caught up in the story, hanging on every word. With each new sentence he crept closer and closer, staring intently into my face as I read. I delighted in putting different inflections into the tone of my voice to fit the mood of the story: curious, angry, frightened, excited, suspenseful.

He sat intently focused on the tale for a good fifteen minutes. When I came to the end of the chapter, he threw a fit!

"That's all??"

"For tonight. We'll read the next chapter tomorrow night."

"But I don't WANT to wait! I CAN'T wait that long! I have to know!!"

"You'll have to just wait and see what happens" (truth be told, I was enjoying toying with him perhaps a bit too much.)

"Can't we PLEASE read another chapter now?"

"Nope... sorry, buddy. I thought you didn't want to read this book?"

"Well I didn't know how GOOD it was! It's so cool! It's like MYSTERIES!!"

I hope he continues to enjoy the books. I decided over this past month to begin reading "The Chronicles of Narnia" with my children -- the two youngest, anyway (although J sat and listened as well this evening *s*). I've never read the books myself, but became a huge fan of some of the other writings of CS Lewis a couple of years ago. Since then, I'd been wishing that I'd taken the time to read them, and wondering why I never did. I decided that I don't want my children to grow up ignorant of these wonderfully told tales... either the drama of the stories or the spiritual implications behind them. At first I was afraid that the language might throw Noah for a loop and make it difficult for him to grasp the story -- kind of old-englishy -- but it didn't seem to bother him a bit. Perhaps because the fiction itself is so timeless and classic. The prose flows so wonderfully... with never a dull moment. What a treasure we have in CS Lewis!

And what a treasure I have in my children - who would sit and indulge the desires of their sentimental old mom.

I'm blessed.

Comments (Page 1)

Tova7

on Jan 05, 2006

I totally understand your son's angst. How MEAN of you to just cut him off like that...hehe.

I can say that because I didn't read the Chronicles until I was an adult. I read Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters and some other great works and thought I'd give Narnia a whirl.

Um this is where it gets embarrassing. I bought the whole set thinking I'd read them as time permitted...I keep books in the bathroom, the car, the laundry, the coffee table, if I have three minutes I am reading one. So I put the set all nice and neat into my library and then started on the first one.

Um, I didn't stop. I read every single one of the books in two days flat. I didn't do anything else. So I can understand your son's angst! For SHAME woman.

I like the idea of reading out loud to my kids but my 10 year old already reads all my books....and can't stand to be read too. My two year old's favorite book is "Are you my Mother?" and "Go Dog Go." The kid loves dogs, I may have to break down.....no no I won't. ~shakes head and thinks of something else.~

So right now there is no one to really read too, but that's ok. I am storing up this idea for when G is old enough.

Great story!

HC1240

on Jan 05, 2006

I can say that because I didn't read the Chronicles until I was an adult. I read Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters and some other great works and thought I'd give Narnia a whirl.

This is me! I read Mere Christianity first (loved it), Screwtape Letters next (ok, but not as good as MC) and decided it was time I see what all the Narnia fuss is about...

Um, I didn't stop. I read every single one of the books in two days flat. I didn't do anything else. So I can understand your son's angst! For SHAME woman.

ROFL... he'll get over it. He's resilient! And you, my dear, are obsessive! *grins*

I like the idea of reading out loud to my kids but my 10 year old already reads all my books....and can't stand to be read too.

Awwwwww... that's too bad! My 10 year old loves to read, but also likes to be read to. Kinda cool, actually. Ah well.. ya still have one more!

The kid loves dogs, I may have to break down.....no no I won't. ~shakes head and thinks of something else.~

Be strong, T... be strong! Repeat after me: "We will NOT get a dog... we will NOT get a dog..."

Tova7

on Jan 05, 2006

We WILL NOT get a dog.....

SHHHHH. I don't want to say that too much because I will feel the utter fool when I am on here asking about how to find a good dog!

CS Lewis.....know why I love his work? He is so pragmatic in his approach to Christ. I was with him every step of the way in Mere Christianity. His doubts, were my doubts and he not only answers them logically, but in such detail it makes my head spin.

What a gift and to use it in such an awesome way.

While on the subject...I like Beth Moore but find her study guides way too long...I still do them, but I always think, "Ok Beth, this is long and the message is getting buried."

Tova7

on Jan 05, 2006

I am off to bed.....

Shalom!

MarcieMoo

on Jan 05, 2006

Sounds like fun. I've never read CON either...

I'm in love with Christian Historical Romance at the moment...

I wonder if my first graders would like CON? I've got lots of ESL kids, though...so that might REALLY go over their heads.

Locamama

on Jan 05, 2006

They read Chronicles of Narnia at my niece's preschool. She is four and she loved it. My sister was impressed when they went to the movie that she already knew who all of the characters were.

Dr Guy

on Jan 06, 2006

I think it is great that you are reading that to them! But I had to laugh at your son! He is going to be a character as he gets older!

HC1240

on Jan 06, 2006

SHHHHH. I don't want to say that too much because I will feel the utter fool when I am on here asking about how to find a good dog!

I won't hold it against ya. It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind, right? And I promise I'll never use the words "cave" in reference to the arrival of your new puppy.

CS Lewis.....know why I love his work? He is so pragmatic in his approach to Christ. I was with him every step of the way in Mere Christianity. His doubts, were my doubts and he not only answers them logically, but in such detail it makes my head spin.What a gift and to use it in such an awesome way.

Yes... I absolutely loved it. He quoted George MacDonald quite a bit too. I'm going to have to get my hands on some of his stuff as well now.

While on the subject...I like Beth Moore but find her study guides way too long...I still do them, but I always think, "Ok Beth, this is long and the message is getting buried."

I've never done one of her study guides. A group of ladies at my church did the one on David, and their reactions were mixed. They either really loved it or just couldn't keep up due to the length of the daily stuff.

I've gotten halfway through one of her books ("The Beloved Disciple") and just haven't found time to finish it. I have two others sitting here waiting to be read too... "To Live is Christ" and also the book (as opposed to study guide) on David. Hmmmmmmm... some day.

!! I am using a daily devotional that she didn't write, but helped to compile. It's called "Voices of the Faithful." My last blog was actually an excerpt from that. Link I'm enjoying it so far and since it's only three minutes of reading a day, I don't have a hard time sticking to it.

.

Got to see her speak at a Women of Faith conference once. I really enjoyed her. I could relate to a lot of her testimony. Powerful.

Hope you had a great night's sleep, T

HC1240

on Jan 06, 2006

Sounds like fun. I've never read CON either...

Oh, Marcie... you should pick them up. I bet you'd love them!! And I think they'd be perfect for your first graders, although I don't know about the ESL children. I think if read with enough inflection and drama, they'd probably do fine.

I'm in love with Christian Historical Romance at the moment...

I've never been a huge fan of Christian fiction. Originally, I think it was because it just wasn't written as well as secular fiction, so I stayed away. By the time the writing came up to caliber, I was already into a new phase of life and much prefer nonfiction writing. Figures. LOL... I do read some Christian fiction once in a while. I read the "Ya-Ya" books... and a few of Karen Kingsbury's (although after a couple of books her writing style became predictable and began to annoy me). When I was very young I read some of Jeannette Oak's stuff, which was ok, but not great (in my opinion).

Happy Reading, Marcie!

HC1240

on Jan 06, 2006

They read Chronicles of Narnia at my niece's preschool. She is four and she loved it. My sister was impressed when they went to the movie that she already knew who all of the characters were.

That's so cool! I'm already convinced that this series should be introduced to every child. I'm sorry I missed them when I was younger, but thankful that I discovered them in time to share them with MY children

I do have to wait to see the movie though... It's one of my idiosyncracies, I guess. I have to read the book first. Otherwise, my imagination doesn't have a chance to get engaged because I read with preconcieved ideas. The movie was good, though?

HC1240

on Jan 06, 2006

I think it is great that you are reading that to them! But I had to laugh at your son! He is going to be a character as he gets older!

He sure is... smart as a whip, too. As I tucked him in, I said...

"So what do you think those rings on the table were? The ones that Polly touched?"

"I think they were portals."

"Portals?"

"Yeah. They take you to another world."

Uhhhhhhhhh... ok, Noah. No clue where he got that. TV? Mario Bros video game? Who knows.

Trace

on Jan 06, 2006

... Sweet Lil Noah threw a fit?.. nooooo.. I don't believe it... I'm so glad you are all enjoying this together as a family HC.. Special time...

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Jan 06, 2006

A group of ladies at my church did the one on David, and their reactions were mixed. They either really loved it or just couldn't keep up due to the length of the daily stuff.

Ahem....that would be me!! I was one that really liked it. It was alot of work, but it was a fixed amount of time and the discipline was good for me. I thought you did it with us. I wouldn't mind doing another sometime. Maybe in our group?

Narnia Books? Good stuff. My kids, as you know loved it. They still remember the story quite well even after all these years. It helped that the movies helped solidify the story. And they watched the movies over and over.

HC1240

on Jan 06, 2006

... Sweet Lil Noah threw a fit?.. nooooo.. I don't believe it... I'm so glad you are all enjoying this together as a family HC.. Special time...

... sure is. Thanks for stopping by, trace!

HC1240

on Jan 06, 2006

Yes, I remember you liking it.

There were a few. I know Marilyn really enjoyed it as well. I never did do it. I was already out too many nights a week at the time. I was going to do it on my own, but then so many women showed up for the study that they ran out of books and I decided to not take the book if someone else needed it. Never did get one. We could think about doing one. I'd have to look at the book. I don't really enjoy the fill in the blank answer kind of studies... I'd much rather have someone give me a chapter and then go study the whole thing on my own. But Beth's stuff is supposed to be pretty good. Who knows?

Narnia Books? Good stuff. My kids, as you know loved it. They still remember the story quite well even after all these years. It helped that the movies helped solidify the story. And they watched the movies over and over.

I got home from Drama tonight and Noah met me at the door... BEGGING for me to read the next chapter. ROFL... we did two tonight. He's a happy boy.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!