Allison's Book Report

This week, I don't have a Book Report to share with you; instead, I wanted to share a few thoughts. If you've been following my Book Report for the last three years, you may remember that one of my non-book-related loves is live music. It's like a healing salve in a world where everything can feel artificial and devoid of real human connection. This is a love that my husband and I have shared with our teenage daughters.

Back in December, as a Christmas present, I bought the family tickets to rage it out at a show that is an eclectic mix of metal and reggae, which I realize sounds kind of unhinged, but that is beside the point. At first, I was hesitant to buy those tickets. The show was on a Sunday night in Reno. A metal concert an hour away from home on a school night for a 14- and 16-year-old? Seemed like kind of irresponsible parenting. But I bought those tickets. And do you know what? Four months later, I am here to tell you this: Just buy the tickets. Play hooky on Monday. Do the thing. We had the best time, and I have zero regrets. The $21 apiece I spent on those tickets turned into a priceless night of fun and memories as a family.

You know when kids are little, and people tell you that babies don't keep? They aren’t lying—and the only thing that keeps worse than babies is teens. Before I know it, my girls will be women with entire lives that have nothing to do with us. I mean, that's the whole point, right? Parents are working themselves out of a job from the day their kids are born. So, I am telling you: buy the tickets. Take the trip. See the show. Rage it out on the rail at a metal show with your teenagers beside you. Share your passions with your kids and let them share theirs with you. School night or not, you're not getting these moments back. Those tickets were a great gift for them, but that was nothing compared to the gift I gave myself — the gift of time standing still, even if it was just for a few songs, played way too loud and way too late on a Sunday night.

I promise I will be back next week with an actual Book Report. Until then, don't forget to check out my Instagram @allison.the.reader for more recommendations and book talk — or put your book down and go do something fun with your kids. I promise you won't be sorry!