According to one librarian, going on blind dates with books is a good way to get kids to try new things and build their love of reading. Books indeed serve as the perfect gift, and book lovers everywhere will use any excuse to integrate novels into an upcoming holiday, and Valentine’s Day is no exception.

School Librarian Ashley Kwiecinski Set Up Blind Dates With Books

School Librarian Ashley Kwiecinski certainly found a way to introduce books to her students’ Valentine’s Day by setting up blind dates with books. The program was meant to incorporate a fun element into the routine library visits of the children. According to Kwiecinski, the concept was meant to introduce a mystery book to each child, encouraging them to check out some topic they would otherwise overlook.

To achieve her goals, Kwiencinski covered the books with paper and wrote hints about the genre, plot, and elements on the packaging to aid their selection. Kwiecinski mentioned that she looked at reading as a gift and books as literal gifts. She added that her activity would hopefully help grow the children’s love of reading.

Books Describing Love Stories Were Perfect for the Holiday

Love stories are usually about tales that are as old as time and have been entertaining generations of readers. The rom-com, romance, and chick-lit genres are certainly great for Valentine’s day, and there are many titles available for enthusiasts. Titles of popular love stories ranging from Romeo and Juliet, The Fault In Our Stars, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower are all considered classics for teenagers. The novels by Jane Austen are also a good choice for anyone interested, especially Pride and Prejudice.

According to librarian Ashley Kwiecinski, simplicity is key for children, and knowing and understanding love shouldn’t be a confusing and complex topic. She also said how it was all about the return people feel with love, meaning that when they give love, it comes back to them.

Breakups are never easy, no matter your age. The first breakup, however, is possibly the hardest of them all — as everything is new and you have no prior experience to draw from. As your kids are growing up, they will undoubtedly go through the emotional whirlwind of breakups and heartache. So, how can you help them through these hardships? Teenagers have the answer!

Be Supportive and Available Throughout the Breakup

Every teen is different when it comes to their first breakup. Some would need you to be proactive and offer advice, while others would like you to give them space. Regardless of the approach, however, it’s crucial to let your teen know you are there for them. If they need a shoulder to cry on, you will be there. When they just want to talk or share the silence with you, you will be there. Make sure they know that.

Help Them Validate Their Feelings

One of the hardest parts about dealing with a breakup is knowing that you’re not alone in it. By sharing stories of your own heartbreaks with your teen, you can help them feel validated in their feelings. What this does is it solidifies for them that it’s okay to feel upset, sad, hurt, agitated, and all those other emotions that are going through them.

Being open about your own experience may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s a key element in making your kid feel safe to reciprocate that openness and let you in. It will make you more relatable, and it can really help strengthen your bond. Even if you don’t have a similar experience to share with your teen, just being there to listen, nod along, and offer a warm hug is enough.

Check-In and Listen

Going through a breakup, no matter if it’s the first or tenth, is a process. The first few weeks are the hardest and it’s important to often check in with your teen and focus on listening as opposed to giving advice. They might repeat the same things over and over again, but that’s just part of the healing process. Your persistent support is the best thing you can offer to anyone going through heartbreak, and that is especially true when it comes to your kids. You are their stronghold and seemingly small things like being there to listen will eventually amount to the big thing — a heart that is healing.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to breakups, it’s your job as a parent to reassure your kids that you love and support them, and they will never be truly alone because they have you. While your teen will probably prefer to confide in their friends — showing that you’re always there for them is a major step to helping them heal and learn from this experience.