Family Briefs

I’ve always done well with reading to my children, well at least as part of our bedtime routine. Even when my oldest (an elderly 7) insisted he could read to himself, we chose to read to him anyway. It’s great quality time, but it also continues to expand his listening vocabulary (I learned that great jargon from this guy).

A few weeks ago, I read Ramona The Brave (by Beverly Cleary) to him. I enjoyed it almost as much as he did. I started to blog about it but decided my “specialty” was picture books, so I ditched the idea.

We’ve just finished reading Cleary’s Beezus and Ramona, and my level of enjoyment prompted this post (plus the fact that I’ve committed myself to a book review every week ).

This book focuses more attention on Beezus and how she feels about her little sister. While Beezus allows herself to wallow in self-pity because her little sister ruins so many things for her, Beezus also becomes very depressed when she realizes that she doesn’t love her sister all the time.

While the story began striking a cord for me (sorry, sis ), I think it also made sense to my oldest who often struggles with his three younger siblings.

Three younger siblings who break his stuff, occupy his space, and interrupt his reading. He obviously doesn’t love them all the time (apparent in his hitting, screaming, and name-calling; yes he’s a mature 7 ), but this book sends a loud and clear message that it’s o.k. not to love your siblings all the time (especially when they tangle the string on your yo-yo).

Beezus’ mother and favorite aunt share some wonderful stories from their childhood, helping Beezus see that they weren’t always the loving siblings they’ve grown up to be. The stories shared, while exasperating at the time, were things to laugh at now. Beezus thought maybe she would one day laugh at some of the things her little sister did to annoy her today.

What a wonderful message. I really hope I can remember to share that wisdom the next time a younger sibling destroys another’s favorite toy. I’m sure they’ll appreciate me telling them, “Just think, you’ll laugh about this some day!”