I’m a capable reader, I swear. I make the voices, add inflection, build suspense.
But ask my son, and (if he could talk) you would think I’m still learning the alphabet.
Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick reads to his son, Jack. It is a rare occurance captured on video. Credit: Illustration by Ibby Ahmed
I’m not allowed to read to him. He won’t let me, especially if mom’s around. I have better luck by myself, but he’s also getting interested in “reading” on his own, so I’ve been relegated to a lowly listener.
This is the same kid who used to smile when I sang him songs. His favorite was my cover of Loretta Lynn’s cover of “In the Pines.”
I think I understand why he doesn’t want me to read. I’m supposed to be a source of dumb, mindless fun. We wrestle, chase each other around the house. But reading, most of the time, is a calm-down activity. And I don’t think he sees me as a calming figure.
Maybe I’ll start talking in a quieter, more gentle voice. Something in his 1 ½-year-old brain will say, “Oh wow, my dad can be a source of comfort too.”
Worth a try, no?
I’ll add a big caveat to this: I can’t stand Thumper the bunny, so I’m OK missing those books.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Tyler Fenwick is the dad of a toddler who demands his parents mom read him approximately 300 books per day. You can reach Tyler at tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org.
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