The afternoon before I left, I read my daughter a story. It was a story I had written about her on this blog that ended up in a book that I'm now walking around with in my bag.
I've never read Quinlan an actual story that I'd written about her before. Lately, she's been asking about her birth, so I've given her the highly edited, abridged, and "I'm Four Mommy Please Don't Traumatize Me For Life So Maybe I'll Want to Have Kids Someday" version, which basically includes her being in my belly, me pushing her out of my vagina, and then us being awed at her amazing beauty and the fact that she didn't scream.
I figured emphasizing her gorgeousness and "good baby behavior" would keep her from talking about my vagina to strangers.
Yeah, no such luck.
But aside from the "off the cuff" stories about when she broke her leg, or her collarbone, or how she used to never sleep, I've never been able to sit down and actually read her one of my posts, mainly because the power of books -- the ability to hold them in your hands and flip through them -- is something that a computer on the lap just doesn't have, at least for four-year-olds at bedtime. To see the words printed in something tangible makes it seem more real. More alive.
She listened intently as I read a slightly more G-rated story than had been published. Her eyes wide as I told her about the time I thought she had eaten multi-vitamins and turned into a complete lunatic trying to figure out if she actually had.
When I finished, she asked for more. "I want to read more stories about Quinlan and Mommy" she told me.
Maybe it's time to sit with her and read some of the things I've written. I'm hardpressed to believe she's actually ready to comprehend most of them. She doesn't need to know my loathe for crocs or how silly her father can be sometimes.
But I've got plenty of stories that I'd love to share. They're not in books (yet), but they're archived within my computer. Once to share with the small world that stops by Motherhood Uncensored on their way to porn or who knows what.
But also now to tell my child about her life.
I don't need a publisher to tell my these stories are important. There are plenty of ways to take these words and put them in my daughter's hands. And while I have a great love for children's literature, poetry, and nursery rhymes, there's just something so incredibly amazing about reading your child's own story to them as well.
Regardless of whether it finds itself in a wonderful anthology that you can buy at the bookstore, or something you make yourself, the power of our words is something to be shared. If only with the ones we love the most.
I have started reading the posts to my daughter, too. She loves hearing about her babyhood adventures. I'm so glad to have words to go with the photos.
Posted by: Rita Arens | August 13, 2008 at 06:31 PM
That's the beauty of this Mommy blog thing. It's a forced journal of my children's childhood, something I would love to have of my own early years. I'm just worried my children will hate me when they get older for the more embarrassing posts.
Off to check out the porn...
Posted by: Julianne | July 22, 2008 at 03:39 PM
This is why I blog. I forget so easily - I want to be able to remember for my baby all the wonderful experiences we are having.
Posted by: Mozi Esme's Mommy | July 22, 2008 at 09:18 AM
congratulations! i love your idea and i can't wait to read the book.
xxx!
Posted by: kyra | July 22, 2008 at 09:17 AM
I just wanted to say it was so nice to meet you briefly (you hopped by my table during the "Breakfast - now SWITCH"). You're lovely!
Posted by: Michele | July 21, 2008 at 12:24 PM
That's a nice reminder to us--to capture the moment to share with our kids someday.
Posted by: Asianmommy | July 20, 2008 at 08:03 PM
I only started blogging a few months ago, and I'm kicking my arse because I didn't start sooner. There are things you forget as your kids get older, funny stories about the things they've done, phases they've gone through, that I wish I had started before now. I'm telling their story, something for their kids to read when my kids are older and have families of their own.
Plus, I figure when I'm old and can't wipe my own ass,and they wanna throw my wrinkled butt in a nursing home, I can show my kids everything I've written and say, "Look at what I went through when you were young, and this is the thanks I get!"
It's the gift that keeps on giving.
Posted by: Mommy Who? | July 20, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Great post! Kids also like to hear your story--the one of you as a little girl.
Posted by: angie | July 20, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Thank you for the link to Blurb. I can't imagine that I have enough book-worthy posts in my blog or my archives but there are some precious photos with some pithy commentary that might make some interesting reading one day.
Your post is a good reminder to keep writing about the kids on my mommyblog; I've strayed a little from the main topic lately and I need to get back to why I started blogging in the first place. Thanks for the gentle nudge.
Posted by: Trish | July 19, 2008 at 08:00 PM
My daughter has blogged daily about my grandaughter's life for her 27 months. She has also done a picture/day. I look at them and marvel. What a gift she is giving to Katie. A daily look at what her life was like when she was a wee one. I apppaud all you moms who blog about your kids so the kids can read a true picture of their early lives... even the hard times.
Posted by: Grandmere | July 19, 2008 at 05:16 PM
I can definitely imagine you having to edit posts to be able to read them to a four-year-old-- I've done the same thing to spare my son's feelings when he insisted on knowing what it was I was writing about him.
It'd be cool to be able to read him similar stories out of a book someday, but I'm not holding my breath.
Great post!
Posted by: LiteralDan | July 19, 2008 at 02:27 PM
I've noticed that Noah wants me to read as I type. Especially when he knows it's about him. He'll come stand over my shoulder and look for his name mixed into all the other words he can't read yet. You're definitely right. Their own story is the most important of all.
http://notesfromthesleepdeprived.blogspot.com
Posted by: Wendy | July 19, 2008 at 12:52 PM
What a nice idea. Between what I write about them and what Daddy writes they would have an entire novel!
Have a great Saturday!
Posted by: Morahmommy | July 19, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I know my girls love reading their scrapbooks (lots of photos with lots of journaling) Thanks for spurring the idea of printing what we blog. Have fun in SF!
Posted by: Heather | July 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
That is such a fantastic idea!
Posted by: Tammy | July 19, 2008 at 10:37 AM