The Missing Link
Written by Marcie Stokman, Well-Read Mom Founder and President
“Well-Read Mom is the missing link,” an enthusiastic principal declared.
“What do you mean?” I questioned, curious to know more.
The principal, responded, “Many of our students struggle to read the literature we propose. If more students witnessed their parents reading at home, they’d be encouraged and more likely to engage in reading, too. That is why I think Well-Read Mom is the missing link. It would provide not only an avenue for friendship but also cultivate reading in the home at the same time.” I was surprised by her excitement and understanding of the benefits of Well-Read Mom for her community!
She continued, “So many parents don’t know each other, and we’ve been looking for ways to build community among the families. It seems like Well-Read Mom could provide a place for that kind of meaningful connection. Many mothers are already dropping their kids off in the morning or picking them up in the afternoon; what if, once a month, whoever is interested stays for an hour to discuss literature? This would not only foster friendship, but it would also cultivate a reading environment in the home.”
Spot-on with her insight, she articulated what I’m increasingly aware of: when moms read more, everyone reads more.
I shared with her about Sarah, whose high school son, Thomas, resisted reading for English class. When she challenged him, arguments ensued. One day, Thomas shot an arrow that hit the mark: “But Mom, you and Dad don’t read books. Why should I?”
Motivated by his challenge, Sarah joined a Well-Read Mom group. Even though she felt sure she would fail (where would she find the time to read literature?), Sarah started and surprised herself by finding creative ways to work reading into her day. She finished one book and then another. And her effort did not go unnoticed. “I’m proud of you, Mom,” Thomas let her know. Thomas became curious about what his mom was reading and it became a point of dialogue. Before long Sarah was thrilled to find that they were engaging in conversations about literature!
We intuit that reading great and worthy books is good for our life but still we need encouragement and accountability. When we join together, we foster accountability and an environment that facilitates learning in the school and the home.
Becoming a reader is an intentional choice, but it’s a worthy choice. Well-Read Mom is a missing link, and it’s a link worth forging.
Together, we are working to build and restore education for our children and ourselves. It is a worthy effort, and I thank you for being a part of it.
About Marcie Stokman
Marcie Stokman, M.A., is founder and president of Well-Read Mom, an international movement and book club. As a former clinical nurse practitioner in mental health and longtime homeschooler, she writes and speaks to encourage women and share the power of reading. She and her husband, Peter, have seven children and 20 grandchildren. Marcie is the author of The Well-Read Mom: Read more. Read well.
About Well-Read Mom
In Well-Read Mom, women read more and read well. Our hope is to deepen the awareness of meaning hidden in each woman’s daily life, elevate the cultural conversation, and revitalize reading literature from books. If you would like to have us help you select worthy reading material, we invite you to join and read along with us. We are better together! For information on how to start or join a Well-Read Mom group visit our website wellreadmom.com
