So, while Alex says that he likes school, getting him to practice reading is like pulling teeth from the inflamed gums of a carnivorous mammal who once had an impacted tooth extracted with no meds when he thought he was going to get a sanguine treat.

As fate would have it, he needs the practice.

In addition to mild bribery, I have been looking for other incentives. I think I found one that works.

The chalkboard wall. I wrote him a letter which he actually read with me without making faces, pouting or otherwise threatening a breakdown of some sort. Hmm.

I have learned through this that Alex is rather discerning about his knock knock jokes.

I will draw full-scale comics on his wall if that’s what it takes for him to break the reading code.

A mama’s gotta do what a mama’s gotta do.