A discussion about writing

On Rachel's report card, I was very dismayed to read that: a) All she wants to do is read, to the detriment of her other work, and b) She apparently hates writing. So, I've started a mother/daughter journal for us to write in when I'm not home -- I ask her a question, she answers, then she asks me a question. My answers tend to be long and discursive, my way of encouraging her to write, and her answers tend to be along the lines of, "Draw what your dream house would look like, Mommy." (Although when I asked her what her favorite place was and why, she answered, "Your lap, because it's close to you," which warmed my heart.)

So, one day we got to talking about the journal, and how Rachel should take it seriously because everyone needs to know how to to write, and she got very upset and said, "When I grow up I'm going to be a veterinarian, so I won't need to tell stories," or something like that. And so I said, "If someone brings their sick pet in to you, and they're crying and scared, you may need to to tell them a story to calm them down. And if you can't do that, you won't get clients."

I'm not sure she was convinced, but I was pretty proud of myself for thinking of that on the spur of the moment.