Vol. 16, No. 2 • May 2012

Reading Time=Family Time

by Becky Burmester

Unless you’re new to Fostering Perspectives, you know that I love to read. I read to escape, to learn, and to have fun with my children.

At night I crawl into bed with a book to lose myself in someone else’s story. I even find reading “thrillers” and mysteries relaxing.

I read to learn about areas of my adopted children’s experiences with which I am unfamiliar (autism spectrum disorder and racial issues).

Because my background is solidly middle class, I read to gain empathy and understanding of persons whose life experiences and expectations are very different from mine (food stamps, Medicaid, substance abuse, losing my child).

But reading is not just a solo activity. I read to my children ages 9 and 11 to share the experience of being read to, even though they are eager readers on their own.

Consider reading as a family every day. It’s marvelous when you can find 10-15 minutes to all be together listening to the same story. Even if you are not that into reading, public libraries have some wonderful books on CD and also audio books that can be downloaded to a computer.

Read together as a family—it will enrich your life!

~ Family and Children's Resource Program, UNC-CH School of Social Work ~