How the Public Library Can Help You Up Your Mom Game

Love Your Library System

I don't know where you live, but I live in Madison, WI, and we have one of the best library systems ever. I have lived here for 9 years, and one of my first suggestions to newcomers is to join the library!!! All the libraries in the South Central Wisconsin Library System share resources, so there are TONS of books (music, games, videos, audiobooks, etc.) available. They even transfer them to your home library for pick up. Get the app (LINKcat). Start working magic. 

Three Ways to Up Your Game

Read With Phases

Kid going through a farm phase? Truck phase? Dog phase? There's a book for that! Or even twenty. When CG goes through a phase, I love to get her as many books as possible to reinforce her learning about what she's interested in right then. We read so many books about winter-- winter gear, winter activities, snowballs, snowmen, it goes on and on. 

Use Books to Normalize Change

Is there something new in your child's life? A new sibling? Potty training? There are books for that! Use books to set expectations about what is normal, especially if your child is sensitive or hesitant about changes. Then when something happens in real life, your child can say "just like Suzy Sue" (from Have You Seen My Potty?). 

Choose Together

Use the website or the LINKcat app to search for books with your child (since it's hard to go in person right now). It's fun to pick out books together and let the anticipation build. 

LINKcat-- this is what you're looking for. 

Go make some reading magic happen, and get something for yourself, too.