“We didn’t get 30 minutes to read!”

This is not a picture of one of my kids, but this quote is, “We didn’t get 30 minutes to read!”

Books and the consumption of knowledge have been in my family since the beginning. This is something that my wife and I have tried to instill in our own children. I see the positive influence in my sibling’s lives and on their kids as well.

I was in a productive meeting today and spent part of the day on an investigation along with some paperwork, not blog worthy information.

Atticus, yes named after “that Atticus” tells me as I turn out the lights for bed, “We didn’t get 30 minutes to read!”

Side Note–when kids beg for reading time it’s pretty awesome. 

I turn back on the lights and have the following conversation.

“Atticus, (the two other boys can hear) we gave you time to read, but you chose to do something else.”

“No.”

“Yes, let me explain.”

“After school, you get time to read and do homework at the middle school. If you choose to do something else, that is your choice, but that is your time.”

He explains that it is difficult to read when people are playing video games.

I follow that with an explanation about choosing between two things. I also talk to him (them) about time management.

We make time for two things: what is necessary, and what we really want to do.

He responds, “I really want to play video games.”

My reply, “Cool, it’s time for bed you can read in the morning on the way to school.”