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 2)

Dr Guy

on Jan 07, 2006

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.

After you finish with the 'Problem child', Want to read a chapter to me?

Bob Aiken

on Jan 07, 2006

Heather,
It was so nice to hear that someone else has found the joys of reading; "Narnia", to their children. A few years ago I read it to my grandson, Jacob. It was a nightly event that we both looked forward to.

jlaur65

on Jan 07, 2006

noah is adorable.
i am wondering how he knew what a portal was.

Tova7

on Jan 07, 2006

If you have time for Christian fiction...Frank Peretti is awesome. I heard a movie may be coming out of one of his books! COLOR me IN LINE!

I did the the "A heart like His" study of David...I think that is what it was called....by Beth Moore.

IT was ok, but like I said, she has so much "homework" I think the message gets lost in the workload. But that's just me.

I am reading her right now, a book called, "When Godly People Do Ungodly things."

Insightful, but I haven't finished it yet.

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Jan 07, 2006

If you have time for Christian fiction...Frank Peretti is awesome. I heard a movie may be coming out of one of his books! COLOR me IN LINE!

I've read all his books. Putting these into movie form is going to be a hair raising movie experience if they are any way true to the books.

I'm reading a Catholic book on the Rapture or rather refuting it. It's called "Rapture." And I'm going over it chapter by chapter with my catholic girl friend. I guess it's the answer from the Catholic perspective for the "Left Behind" books. It's going to take alot of time cuz it's a very thick book. I guess it takes alot of words to refute the rapture. I'd rather be reading Narnia.

HC1240

on Jan 09, 2006

It was so nice to hear that someone else has found the joys of reading; "Narnia", to their children. A few years ago I read it to my grandson, Jacob. It was a nightly event that we both looked forward to.

Thanks for stopping by, Bob! We all look forward to it as well. We're about halfway through the first book. So far no one's attention has waned.

HC1240

on Jan 09, 2006

After you finish with the 'Problem child', Want to read a chapter to me?

Sure... if you wanna move North. *

HC1240

on Jan 09, 2006

noah is adorable.i am wondering how he knew what a portal was.

Spoken like a true sister.

I think he probably heard of it through the Mario Brothers game or Nickelodeon... he says he doesn't know how he knows about them.

Dr Guy

on Jan 09, 2006

Sure... if you wanna move North. *

Got some woolies?

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Jan 09, 2006

Spoken like a true sister. I think he probably heard of it through the Mario Brothers game or Nickelodeon... he says he doesn't know how he knows about them

scuse me but I do have a question. You ARE reading together but ask each other questions via a blog site? How does that work? I think sit down family meals are in order here....hehehehe

HC1240

on Jan 09, 2006

If you have time for Christian fiction...Frank Peretti is awesome. I heard a movie may be coming out of one of his books! COLOR me IN LINE!

I read some of his stuff years ago. I was home, alone... scared the crap outta me! ROFL.. Haven't been back to it in ages, but I'd see a movie

That's the one they did... and that's why half of them dropped like flies. LOL. It was just too much work for them (too time consuming).

I am reading her right now, a book called, "When Godly People Do Ungodly things."

Insightful, but I haven't finished it yet.

I've not heard of this one. Have to look it up. Maybe we could get it in our church library... *hint, hint*

HC1240

on Jan 09, 2006

I'm reading a Catholic book on the Rapture or rather refuting it. It's called "Rapture." And I'm going over it chapter by chapter with my catholic girl friend. I guess it's the answer from the Catholic perspective for the "Left Behind" books. It's going to take alot of time cuz it's a very thick book. I guess it takes alot of words to refute the rapture. I'd rather be reading Narnia.

Are you emailing about each chapter still? How's she handling your critique?

Praying it's received in the spirit it's intended.

HC1240

on Jan 09, 2006

Got some woolies?

I do! Just bought a new pair of wool mittens Saturday. You can borrow them

scuse me but I do have a question. You ARE reading together but ask each other questions via a blog site? How does that work? I think sit down family meals are in order here....hehehehe

Well... he talked about the portals while I was tucking him in... AFTER we'd read the book earlier.

And J is sometimes there for the reading, sometimes not. Her schedule's a bit crazier than the other two.

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