How My Daughters Are Organising My Education

Once again, it's Monday, the day the girls have their piano lessons. Once again, Charlotte took Les Miserables to read, while she was waiting for her turn at the piano.

“So how did you get on with your book?” I asked, as the girls reappeared after the lessons.

“I’ve almost finished it,” Charlotte answered. “I had to stop reading because I got to a snifferly bit. I didn’t feel comfortable crying away from home.”

“It was sad?”

Charlotte nodded.

My interest in the book soared. A book that can entangle the emotions and bring us to tears might be worth reading. “Perhaps I should take up the challenge and read Les Mistoo,” I said.

We hadn’t been home long before Charlotte presented me with her book, saying, “It’s all yours. I’ve finished! Your turn to read it.”

There were still a few tears on Charlotte’s cheeks, but she also had a triumphant look on her face. “I had a bit of a sniffle. It was so sad. But I read everything, even the two appendices. I can now say, ‘I read Les Miserables’!”

I was having second thoughts about reading Les Miserables (it is very long), so I said, “I'm still reading Bleak House."

“Well, you’d better hurry up and finish it,” Charlotte said. "You have lots of reading to do.”

Sophie is also reading a classic. The other day she complained, “The big girls told me I’m too young to read Oliver Twist.”

“They’re only teasing,” I reassured her. “You can read the book if you like.” I found a copy on the shelf and Sophie has begun reading it.

“Do you think Sophie will finish Oliver Twist before Mum finishes Les Miserables?” asked Imogen.

“They could have a race,” suggested Charlotte.

“Hold on,” I protested. “I haven’t finished Bleak House yet. I can't even start Les Mis until I have. Anyway, what are you reading next?”

“I thought I’d read The Count of Monte Cristo. Imogen should read it too,” said Charlotte.

“You do know some Christian parents won’t let their children read that book because it’s a tale of revenge?”

“Don’t worry, Mum! We know revenge is wrong. We'll read it to find out what not to do.”

So Sophie is reading Oliver Twist, Imogen and Charlotte are reading The Count of Monte Cristo, and it seems I am reading Les Miserables (and Bleak House).

It also seems I have very bossy daughters who enjoy organising my education. Isn't that the wrong way round? Aren't parents supposed to organise their children's education? Not in this house. I never seem to get the chance.

Who will finish their book first? Sophie? Charlotte? Imogen? It probably won't be me!