Keep your books
Thursday 
in the late evening 
Mystie
I have been writing about boys and books for a long time and I am ahead of some of you on the path of mothering boys. It is only fair that I don’t always write about clam chowder for lunch and knights from Appledore, great green rooms and waddle, waddle pat-pat. I must also speak truthfully of the pitfalls of this sort of life.
What is her warning?
I never counted on the fact that he would one day begin ravaging MY library in search of any book with a loving note in it with his name on it. But, of course, I concede those books. I can’t actually deny giving them to him without tearing out the notes, something I am considering. But I never in a million years counted on him claiming as his own any book he had helped me pick out at a library sale or had a personal attachment to.
Then the Headmistress picked up the theme with “The Progeny Must Read This,” concluding:
Younger mothers, be forewarned. Teach your children to view books from you as books from a lending library, books that must be returned and never, ever kept. And stop writing sentimental messages inside those books. It only makes the Progeny uppity.
*cough* *cough*
Being the same age as these ladies oldest children, I am afraid that I do recognize the problem though I be on the other side; I have unboxed my books and found a couple of my father’s that — with only a tiny twinge of guilt — went onto my shelf. I did return two I didn’t want, though.
Now he’s going to start asking questions. But you didn’t miss them, did you?! :) I rescued them from spending two years in boxes! No, well, I’ve read one, ok.
I’ll heed their warning for my own progeny.
(MCL)
with 
(personal library)
