Why My Teenagers Love the Library!
When my son was a baby he was very active. He was curious about everything and needed to check out, poke, pick up, and/or attempt to eat almost everything he came into contact with. He was exhausting.
So much so that when he got the chicken pox and people told me he’d slow down, I was excited. This new mom looked forward to a sleepy, slower moving child.
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Needless to say, it was a lie. He wasn’t tired and absolutely did not slow down one tiny bit.
So what did I do with this crazy bundle of energy joy?
I took him to the library. A lot.
Why You Need To Take Children To The Library
Yeah, I am the crazy new mom, who was also 6 months pregnant, that took her energetic 18-month-old that never stops talking to the library. You call me crazy? Maybe!
The library was a 20-30 minute walk from my house. Being stuck in the house with a child that never stopped moving was driving me crazy. So at my mom’s suggestion, I buckled my crazy kiddo into a stroller and walked to the library.
The library was the perfect place for my son. And later for his creative sister.
Because I took them at a young age, my children have developed a love of books, learning, and exploring.
The library is one of the few places left that encourages all of us, including small children and teenagers to ASK questions and look for answers. You can get one on one help with any topic you wish.
Libraries are the backbone of our communities.
Reasons my teenagers love the library:
From the moment I walked in I remembered all the things I love about the library. The library has changed from the stuffy quiet place it used to be. My teenagers love that there is so much to do at the library!
It is home to so many events, groups, and training. (Teen based ones are bolded)
Events such as the following:
- Preschool Storytime
- Lego’s build and create
- ABC’s for Baby (0-18 months)
- Knitting and Crochet group
- Tween Scene (craft and create)
- Young Readers Club (A teen favorite)
- Toddle Time
- Book Club
- STEAM KIDS
Training such as:
- How to use a computer
- How to use a word program
- Introduction to Email
- How to do a Job Search
Did you know your library may have:
- Free wifi
- Movies
- Audiobooks
Don’t forget to check and see what your library has available.
Why I love the library too:
However it isn’t just the kids that love the library, I love the library too!
I love that the library has been key in developing a love of reading in my teens!
I love that I can go online and reserve some of my favorite books. If the local library doesn’t have it, I can check other nearby libraries, and they will send it to whichever library I choose.
After a long day at work, I can run in and they have the books I wanted ready to go. I can be in and out in 5 minutes. Did I mention they will also mail them to my door if I don’t have access to a car? How awesome is that?!
On a day off, I can come in and take my time. They have activities such as a book walk, which is one of my favorite. This is where they take a story and you literally follow the footsteps around the library, taking you to different spots where they have a part of the featured story. The last one I saw was The Paper Bag Princesses.
It was my featured post on Instagram as you can see here:
The children can play board games, check out the fish, and more. There is free wifi, tables, and chairs outside to sit in the sun, coloring pages available, crafts to do, 3-D printing and more.
As a mother my absolute favorite….
My children love the library.
Not only the chatterbox that never stops talking, not even in his sleep but also his baby sister.
I love how comfortable the children are and amazingly helpful the librarians are. They ask about our school day knowing we homeschool. They suggest books based on what we are learning or something they think the kids or I will like. They point out reading challenges, scavenger hunts coming up, or crafts and events they think might interest my bookworms.
To me, not only is the library a door to so many different worlds, so many adventures, so much to learn but it is also a community of its own. The library was key in keeping reading fun for my kids.
And my absolute favorite…they know my teenagers by name 🙂
Do your kids love the library? What is the best part?
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Hi, I’m Jen. I help working moms juggle their career and homeschool their kids by providing support, systems and tools. You are warmly invited to Join the Online Community Here!
