Bedtime Stories

As an author, it is my greatest joy when someone says, “she wants to read Jump the Moon every night,” or “WE just love Posey,” or “Pickles is our favorite Christmas book.”  The thought that Me Too or Posey or Pickles get to be part of that magical time that parents are spending with their children is so special to me. Little girls go to sleep imagining that they are the girl with the long blond hair or boys are dreaming about having a pony for their best friend.

Studies have been done that will tell you that if you read to your child, they will do better in school or that they will become lifelong readers. Of course, these are wonderful outcomes. But what I think is more important are the memories you are giving your child. It’s a special time where all the busyness of the day melts away. Parents and child share a silly story or an amazing adventure together. I can remember my dad reading Black Beauty to me. I had a pretty chaotic childhood, but I can still hear my dad’s voice as we lived through that story together.

My son loved the story of Snow White. The book was SO long that I tried to summarize pages. But he knew every word and would never let me skip. He’s a grown man now, but when I think about that, he’s the little blond-haired boy snuggled up on my lap. When we read to our children, we are not just creating memories for them. We have those moments to keep for ourselves, the moments of that quiet intimacy.

Bedtime stories are a wonderful ritual. We can get cozy and travel into the world of the imagination together. It’s a way to bring down their energy and distract us from all the other details of life. When you are reading with your child, you are not thinking about your to do list or the schedule for tomorrow. For that time, you are totally present together. I am truly honored when Jump the Moon or Posey or Pickles get to be part of that time.

May all your dreams come true,

Kathy Simmers