Busted

I have a reading disorder. It is really hard for me to stop reading a good book when I start. It's even hard for me to put down a not so great book once I start. This spring I had a major episode. I started a fairly long series and couldn't stop. I kept up appearances, but secretly I was just going through my daily tasks so I could get back to reading my books. After all the time I spent reading (and practically having the books memorized from reading them so much) I decided that I needed to work on my problem. I quit reading. Last week I had a relapse.

I started a book last Sunday night and finished it early Monday morning. I started the second book of the series Monday afternoon and finished it early Tuesday morning. The third book was finished by Wednesday morning. See a pattern? These were borrowed books, but I really liked them. So on Wednesday I bought the 3rd book and on Friday I bought the other two. I have read them all again (well, I skipped the parts that annoyed me in the 2nd book, so it doesn't fully count).

How does a mom of 3 boys manage to find time for all this reading? Neglect. Yes, I neglected my kids. Well, not totally. I was in the room or at least in the house while they were here. I did get their meals and forced myself to do laundry and clean up my house. I made sure they showered, brushed their teeth and even read to them before bed. I just sort of gave in to other things that I wouldn't normally do. Want to play Nintendo for hours? Fine. Want to eat nothing but treats and snacks? Enjoy. Want to watch that Drake and Josh marathon? Perfect, just let me read.

With Matt things were a little trickier. He probably wondered why I was so willing to let him play his guitar for so long and so loud. I was reading. We both got what we wanted. I was careful to read somewhere that there is a pillow nearby so I can hide the book. But yesterday I got busted. He found out that I bought the books I had already read. Now he knows that I've read them all again (mostly). Should I feel guilty? For some reason I don't. But I am going to stop reading again--for awhile anyway.