A Three Hour Tour

by Matt

"Where were you?"

"I was at the library."

"For three hours?"

"Yes! I was reading!"

...

"For three hours?"


As a kid, I spent way too many hours reading at the library. My mom couldn't believe it. She must have thought I was starting trouble on the mean streets of Suburbia, USA. As a parent, I think, "Wow. Awesome. What a good example." But as a man, I think, "Wow. What a nerd." I think I spent everyday there, for a whole month, one summer. I would get a stack of books and sit in an alcove reading for hours. I would try to re shelve my books from memory, but the librarians would always (politely) tell me to leave them on the table. It was fun. I miss the unending freedom to read books.

I fell out of using the library as much around high school. Most people would say it was because of girls and parties. But for me, it was music and comic books. It wasn't until I had my girls that I started to visit the library on a regular basis. All my fees were paid and I was ready to borrow books, CD's, and movies. Plus, we have a carpeted bath tub to sit in and read! (And by "we", I mean "children.")

Most local libraries have tons of free programs for parents to take their kids too. Our library has groups for varying ages: baby time (3 months to walking), toddler time(walking to 36 months, & preschool (3-5 yrs). Once a month, they offer a family night. It usually involves crafts, games, light refreshments, & stories.

My first experience with a "playgroup" was during baby time with L. She was around 5 or 6 months, and I was a little leary. Actually, I think a better word is intimidated. I didn't want to look like a complete idiot in front of these moms. I had to represent my gender better than the typical sitcom dad: dropping dinner out of the oven, using t shirts instead of diapers, and not being able to handle a baby.

I was the only dad in a room full of moms. Why were they all looking at me? Stop judging me! I'm a parent just like you! Please talk to me! Let's commune over common parenting experiences! Why won't you let me COMMUNE? WHY?!?!

Yeah, that's what I felt. But that wasn't what was happening.

I think they might have been a little freaked out at first. But L went a long way into smoothing things over. Pretty soon, I was jibberjabbering with the other moms like my name was Rhoda or Flo. We kept going, and we continued once E came. I even noticed an uptick in makeup & style from the other moms. (Yeah, I still got it.)

Usually, my girls want to stay and do some of the regular library activities. I like this. It gives me a chance to peruse the stacks, and find something to read. Now, if I can only get my wife to let me hang out at the library and read for three hours.