Reading Aloud, Where it Started for Me

Like most new mothers, I wanted to read to my babies at night before I put them to sleep. That precious time to cuddle and read to them was very important to me. Not growing up a big reader, I was very self-conscious of my reading. I never liked reading out loud in school or at home and would avoid any opportunity to do so. When I first started reading to my little one, I was truly nervous.  Why? A baby can't tell you that you read a word wrong or make fun of you for stumbling over poems and rhymes, yet I was still stressed about reading at night to her. This feeling only lasted a few days, when I realized it was more about being with her, having her hear the words and my voice that mattered.
I tried to read when my husband wasn't around because I was uncomfortable having someone hear me read but my husband would sneak in or just hang around to listen. A year later he boosted my self confidence in reading when he told me I was reading so much better. Some people may think that isn't the best compliment but from someone who knew they didn't read well that meant the world to me. Along with watching my children grab books for me to read them, his comment kept me reading to them.

Always encourage yourself and those around you to read!

Here is a list of a few favorite baby books I read to my little ones:

~Love you Forever by Robert Munsch

~The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein 

~ABC Animals A Bedtime Story by Darice Bailer

~A Sleepy Story by Elisabeth Burrowes

~Snowman at Night by Mark Buehner

I would love to hear your favorites you have read or are reading to your little ones.