[Poll] As a child... were you?

[Xanthe]

My parents always encouraged my reading - except when I'd sneak a comic book into the bathroom with me (we had only one bathroom). So I'd keep one hidden in there under the clothes hamper.

There's no answer applicable to me in your poll, so I didn't vote in it.

[piperclassique]

No option for me either. Though I did use a torch after lights out, I read constantly when not obliged to do something else, had my library card and also stole my father's card. Got an adult library card at age 9 thanks to my father explaining to the librarian that he wanted his card back, which meant unlimited choice and five books instead of two. No censorship either.

[DrNefario]

I think my parents were happy that I liked reading, but didn't really express a preference either way.

I'm told that after my first day at school I complained that they hadn't taught me to read yet. I was very keen on the idea, and didn't like relying on other people being willing to read to me.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by DrNefario

I think my parents were happy that I liked reading, but didn't really express a preference either way.

I'm told that after my first day at school I complained that they hadn't taught me to read yet. I was very keen on the idea, and didn't like relying on other people being willing to read to me.

You were an impatient little one huh. I don't recall when I learned how to read but my mom got me my 1st library card when I was 3 and I haven't stopped holding onto books since. Of course back then I drove my mom crazy with Dr. Seuss.

[sunnysmiles]

I loved to read. I was allowed to take non fiction books out of the adult section when I was still a child.

[alecE]

I was encouraged to read by my mother, and our local library was an essential part of my life. So I didn't vote for anything in set 1. Yes, I frequently (alright, most nights) read under the covers. This kind of backfired spectacularly after I'd got halfway through Dracula, and emerged from under the covers...into the dark bedroom...with the torch battery dead...and something nasty underneath the bed. Oh! Teh horror!

[DiapDealer]

I was encouraged to read. Never had to hide under blankets with a flashlight because I was never required to "put that book down and go to sleep." I did (and do) read a lot in bed, but I happen to enjoy sleeping almost as much as I enjoy reading. As a result, I never liked to deprive myself of either. In those rare instances where I did trade reading for sleep, there were no dire consequences.

[icallaci]

I was encouraged to read, but I also hid under the blankets with a flashlight because "there is a time and a place for everything, and bedtime is the time for sleeping." I remember once, at school, the class was reading a book together, and I wanted desperately to find out what happened next, so I asked the teacher if I could take one of the books home to read ahead. She said no, so after school I went directly to the library and checked it out myself. I remember feeling very satisfied that I had gotten around her stupid rule. If a child wants to read, don't ever tell them no! It may start them on a life of rebellion and rule-breaking that will undermine society.

[Hampshire Nanny]

I didn't vote in set 1. My parents were very proud that I was an avid reader. I tried reading with a flashlight, but my mother would catch me most of the time. I also would go into my closet to read after bedtime. (A blanket across the bottom of the closet door did a pretty good job of hiding the light.)

I've reported before that when my father took me to the library to get my first library card, he told the librarian that I was to be allowed to check out *any* book in the library and that she wasn't to direct me to the children's books. He was sure I'd figure out which books were too difficult or not interesting to me.

[Hampshire Nanny]

Originally Posted by Xanthe

My parents always encouraged my reading - except when I'd sneak a comic book into the bathroom with me (we had only one bathroom). So I'd keep one hidden in there under the clothes hamper.

There's no answer applicable to me in your poll, so I didn't vote in it.

Reminds me ... reading in the bathroom was something that everyone in the family did. We had a bookshelf in the bathroom.

[soulfuldog]

Add me as another who was encouraged to read by my parents. I loved getting stories read to me as a kid and remember the joy at getting my own library card, can't really remember my friends being quite so excited as I was!

[Xanthe]

Getting that library card was the greatest thing! Our librarians were old-fashioned and they printed your name on the card with a pen that they had to dip in ink - I thought that was so weird yet cool, at the time. And as I got older, the librarians knew me so well that they let me take books out of the adult section on my kids card. Out of curiosity, I looked up the distance from my home to the branch library that I went to. I'd walk 2.40 miles round-trip at least weekly, carrying a stack of books - lol.

[Ripplinger]

Our school had a day where a librarian came in and let us all fill out the forms and gave us our cards in school. I do remember my grandmother walking me to the library quite often before I was old enough to go on my own though, especially in the summer, and for me it was 4 miles round trip. And my dad driving me on weekends.

Edit: I should add that now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever seen either of my parents read anything other than the newspaper, grandparents as well. I had selected that they had no opinion about my reading. It's a wonder that my brother and I both turned out to be avid readers.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Hampshire Nanny

Reminds me ... reading in the bathroom was something that everyone in the family did. We had a bookshelf in the bathroom.

Ah yes. The Reading Room.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by Hampshire Nanny

Reminds me ... reading in the bathroom was something that everyone in the family did. We had a bookshelf in the bathroom.

I still carry a book with me when I use the restroom.
Apache