teaching hayden to read - i learned a lesson.

Recently, I tried to teach Hayden how to read. I thought it would help for him to have that skill or at least some level of reading skills prior to starting Kindergarten.

I bought this book in the hopes that within a few months, he would be able to read or have some reading skills.I used my "me time" when Harper went down for her nap to try and do a lesson a day.

It did not go well - at all.

He hated it. He dreaded our reading lessons. I was on lesson 13, when I finally had a breakdown.

He would cry during our lessons. The process wasn't clicking and he was getting frustrated. It was all just too much pressure.

I then went and sought support and guidance from social media. I kid you not.

I posted about my frustration on Twitter/Facebook.

I received wonderful comments from my Facebook friends. Their replies were supportive and extremely helpful.

In retrospect, the added pressure I put on Hayden and myself for him to learn to read was ridiculous and completely unnecessary. I see the error in my ways now - thanks to my Facebook friends who "kept it real."

My Facebook friends gave me spectacular advice. They weren't critical or discouraging. They didn't berate me for my efforts or ridicule me for feeling upset. Sometimes social media can be an invaluable asset!

So we are going to take a break from the "learning to read book" and just have fun with the learning to read process - Hayden will learn to read on his own terms in his own time. It will be less stressful this way for all of us.