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Maximizing Motherhood
A Summer Goal Turned Sour
by Maureen Pearson (Maureen's bio)
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Could it really be that summer is over and fall is upon us? It seems like yesterday that our days were filled with swimming and air-conditioning that ran nonstop to cool us when we weren't in the pool.
When my (then) four-year old finished preschool in May, we talked about our summer plans. I established some goals for her to work on together during the summer. The list included: learn to tell time, learn to tie shoes, learn the Ten Commandments and learn to ride a bicycle without training wheels.
Ambitious? I don't know. You know the adage: if you don't know where you're going, how will you know when you get there? It was as much a plan to direct our time and activities as it was to accomplish something.
Anyway, my daughter and I also discussed keeping a reading list during the summer months. She learned to read at age three and displayed the love of reading. When we talked about having a reading log during the summer, she said that she wanted to read 21 books during summer break.
Wow, I was impressed. I was so impressed that I told her I would buy her another Barbie doll if she read 21 books. Perhaps my offering to buy a toy for accomplishing such a goal was sending a wrong message to my daughter. I don't know. I just thought 21 books was a lot to read for her age.
The reading began, or continued, to be more accurate.
I began writing down the names of books my daughter read. She also started writing the names on the list. Books she read on her own didn't count, however. My husband and I wanted to listen to her reading and provide help with pronunciation or comprehension.
My husband and I were excited about our daughter's reading interest. We also knew that family members would be impressed at the ambitious reading goal.
As our family vacation approached, Laura was about three books away from her goal. I wanted to be able to buy her a new doll to take on vacation, but I didn't want to pressure her to finish on my time schedule. Laura sensed the excitement of vacation preparations and knew it would be more fun to have a new doll to share with her cousins. She read and read until she achieved her goal.
Twenty-one books. I don't know who was happier - my daughter or me? It was probably a toss-up until my shameful realization when school started. She never did learn the Ten Commandments.
Copyright 2002, Maureen Pearson. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
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About Maureen Pearson: I am an at-home mother of two children and freelancer for The Tampa Tribune (daily newspaper). Prior to motherhood, I worked in "corporate America" as a mid-level manager for an international research and development organization. My communications background includes media relations, various business publications and broadcast news. While in my 20s, I made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. My heart's desire is to show others the love of God available to us through His Son. My family and I are active members of Presbyterian Church in the Highlands, Lakeland, Florida. I've facilitated a number of small group studies for women focused on Bible study, prayer and learning God's will. E-mail Maureen |
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