The First Step Is Admitting You Have a Problem

I have a secret. Actually, it’s not a secret at all.

I have a slight addiction to children’s books.

I’m trying to get it organized, if not under control.

This is what our basement floor looks like at the moment.

There are 14 of these bins organized by category, like historical fiction, biographies, Newbery Award winners, etc.

and there are 3 more of these storage tubs filled to the brim with special books that I don’t want my little ones getting into because they are autographed, out of print, valuable, or they go with a specific classroom lesson and I’m keeping the materials together, despite the fact that I have no plans to return to the classroom anytime in the foreseeable future.

These are only the books that are out of season, or that I have multiples of (yes, I buy multiples on purpose because who knows when a stay at home mom might need to break into a spontaneous reading group with a bunch of imaginary third graders? When Nicholas’ preschool has the scholastic sale every month I always buy multiples of the well known authors that are in the $1 section.) or are too advanced for my own kids.

That doesn’t count any of the books that we are currently reading regularly. (There are at least 75 in my living room right now, I’m quite sure)…

Or any of the ones we have set aside for our upcoming yard sale….

Or any of the ones that I took to church when I started the children’s book exchange for our mom’s group earlier this year (and filled up an entire 8 foot tall bookshelf by myself!)…

It also didn’t stop me from buying three more today. But seriously? Who can pass up brand new books for 39 cents?

I totally justify this collection to myself by saying that it I ever do go back to the classroom most of them will go with me, and I never spend more than $25 in a month on books. (but I can stretch that far, believe me) and they will really come in handy if we decide to home school. (which I have no intention of doing) Plus I’m pretty sure that all this reading is the reason the pediatrician says Abby is a year ahead of schedule in terms of her verbal development.

Yes, I confess, I am a total hoarder of children’s books. Do you have a collection that has taken on a life of its own?