Keep your books
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.
