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Twisted Logic

How whack is it, that when I want to really punish my oldest son, I have to take away reading?????  I know it sounds absurd, but ever since about 6th grade, he has been an avid reader.  Good right?? I love that about him.  We even love the same kind of books.  We both love mythological stuff, and history, and biblical fiction.  He is so interesting to talk to, it is like having our own exclusive book club. My younger son Michael is developing this love of reading too, which is awesome!! So what is wrong with this picture?  When reading becomes as much of a diversion from doing what you are supposed to be doing (studying, homework, annotating,  copying notes), when wanting to get to your book makes you rush through a test, it becomes as bad as an iphone, or a video game or TV.  Messed up.  It feels completely counter intuitive to take it away, but we have to. We took away his kindle, he went to the library.  Even though our new agreement CLEARLY states, NO PLEASURE READING DURING THE SCHOOL WEEK.... I look at him reading that book (in complete defiance of our agreement), and I can't bring myself to take it away.  I am soooooo wrapped.

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