Learn how to become better allies to people with disabilities, download the Randstad exclusive ED&I 2022 report.
2nd April is International Children's Book Day, and I'd like to share the happiness I get from bringing up a reader in my son.
2nd April is International Children’s Book Day, and I’d like to share the happiness I get from bringing up a reader in my son.
Something wonderful has just happened and I can’t wait to share my happiness. As a mother of boys I would always think inspite of doing everything that is required to be a friend to my boys, there would be something which they may not want to discuss with me.
But today, my son who is 17 came to me and started discussing the character and the story of the book he was reading, which I thought he would never talk to me about. We were just talking and since I had already read that book I was giving my opinion. We argued, we agreed and most importantly we enjoyed it. Both of us forgot, for some time, that we were mom and son. We were just two friends discussing the book that we both loved.
It took me back to the time when I would not talk about some books with my dad even though I shared everything with my dad. I think deep down in my heart I had some apprehensions that my son would also do the same thing with me.
I think, what changed from the time of my dad and I, to my son and I, is that we always read together.
From the time he was one year old I used to show him pictures and read, and every night I read books to him. Fairytales, Jataka Tales, bedtime stories, mythological stories.
When he started reading, we both used to read the same book. The day he finished reading the page before I did, he got rewarded with a new book.
We moved to Hardy Boys, Secret Seven, Famous Five and Sherlock Holmes. We enjoyed every book.
Then came the phase of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. I read those books too so I could talk to him about them.
We still read together, different books though, and talk to each other if we are intrigued, fascinated, or disgusted with something in the book.
We love shopping, yes, shopping for books. He never complains when I spend hours in a bookstore.
I am glad I read and read to him, and when he uses rich, descriptive engaging vocabulary while speaking or writing, my heart swells, because I know that it is because of his reading habits.
So, I think, children are made readers on the laps of their parents. If you want your kids to read, then read amazing books for them or with them every single night.
P. S. We are going to go shopping some new books today, I think I deserve it.
A version of this was first published here.
Image source: shutterstock
read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Rajshri Deshpande, who played the fiery protagonist in Trial by Fire along with Abhay Deol speaks of her journey and her social work.
Rajshri Deshpande as the protagonist in ‘Trial by Fire’, the recent Netflix show has received raving reviews along with the show itself for its sensitive portrayal of the Uphaar Cinema Hall fire tragedy, 1997 and its aftermath.
The limited series is based on the book by the same name written by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, who lost both their children in the tragedy. We got an opportunity to interview Rajshri Deshpande who played Neelam Krishnamoorthy, the woman who has been relentlessly crusading in the court for holding the owners responsible for the sheer negligence.
Rajshri Deshpande is more than an actor. She is also a social warrior, the rare celebrity from the film industry who has also gone back to her roots to give to poverty struck farming villages in her native Marathwada, with her NGO Nabhangan Foundation. Of course a chance to speak with her one on one was a must!
“What is a woman’s job, Ramesh? Taking care of parents-in-law, husband, children, home and things at work—all at the same time? She isn’t God or a superhuman."
The arrays of workstations were occupied by people peering into their computer screens. The clicks of keyboard keys were punctuated by the occasional footsteps moving around to brainstorm or collaborate with colleagues in their cubicles. Most employees went about their tasks without looking at the person seated on either side of their workstation. Meenakshi was one of them.
The thirty-one-year-old marketing manager in a leading eCommerce company in India sat straight in her seat, her eyes on the screen, her fingers punching furiously into the keys. She was in a flow and wanted to finish the report while the thoughts and words were coming effortlessly into her mind.
Natu-Natu. The mellifluous ringtone interrupted her thoughts. She frowned at her mobile phone with half a mind to keep it ringing until she noticed the caller’s name on the screen, making her pick up the phone immediately.
Please enter your email address