Evelyn just finished 1st grade and tested competency at the 5/6th grade reading/comprehension level. Her teacher acknowledged that her early reading experience well ahead of kindergarten was critical to her being so far ahead of her peers, who obviously knew their letters and a few words, but not yet how to read before entering school.

They have always enjoyed being read to and now love to read more advanced books on their own.

For me, teaching them to read, now listening to them read so well, and enjoying imaginative story telling has been a great lift to my own mental health in spite of so many reasons to feel overwhelmed. It's a positive all around that benefits us all.

Your Mom certainly helped your future success by giving you her time and attention in learning to read earlier than most kids. Like her, I also did the same thing with my children and now grandchildren.