Avid readers with several kids

[Anonymous]

Can you transfer your interest to reading aloud to them? Or, have a family reading hour where the kids get audible+headphones+ physical book (or, just physical books) while you get your reading time too? I know families that still do this. 7-8 is silent reading hour for everyone every night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had to pretty much stop reading for years. Picked it back up when youngest was 5 or so.

Yep. Same here.

Yea. It's just not realistic with small kids. Reading (books, at least) requires too much undivided attention which is a luxury I simply can't afford at this stage of life.

But the kids go to bed well before you, no? When my kids were very little, I had tons of time at night without kids. Now that some are older and some younger, I am sort of squeezed by some staying up later while the younger ones get up earlier. But then the older kids can just look after themselves at night.

[Anonymous]

I know people will disagree but I sort of feel like you have to prioritize what you can do in addition to childcare. You can probably have 2-3 of the following: a job; a hobby; consistent exercise; an active social life that doesn’t revolve around kids; veg-out time; tons of home cooked meals/desserts. I just don’t think you can do all of these things.
It’s totally legitimate for you to pick reading over, say, going to the gym or making homemade lasagna. Just decide how you want to use your limited free time.
Also, i got really into kids literature. There are some really great choices out there.

[Anonymous]

I have 4 kids under 9 and love to read! I always keep a fiction and non fiction around in our main area and plop down with them on the couch and pick it up when they’re having screen time or reading themselves.

I also read while I make dinner or wait for their busses. And I bring my books with me in the car just in case

Where there’s a will there’s a way! I love to read and am raising kids who love to read through my modeling.

[Anonymous]

Raise an advanced reader. By 7 or 8, they can curl up next to you with a chapter book. I miss those days when they wanted me to read to them.

[Anonymous]

I’m a teacher and gave up reading for pleasure except summers until my youngest finished ES. If I had free time in the evenings or on weekends, I wanted to spend it with my kids. I read to them, of course, but it was impossible for me to find time to read a novel. I also didn’t watch adult tv during those years. I’m missing 15 years of pop culture references! Finally, my youngest started her MS social life and it freed up time for a chapter a night or two a week during the school year. I was so happy.

[Anonymous]

Haven’t read a book for eleven years. I was an English major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:read before bed once the kids are down for the night. It's relaxing and quiet activity so generally a perfect fit for that time of the day.

Same

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher and gave up reading for pleasure except summers until my youngest finished ES. If I had free time in the evenings or on weekends, I wanted to spend it with my kids. I read to them, of course, but it was impossible for me to find time to read a novel. I also didn’t watch adult tv during those years. I’m missing 15 years of pop culture references! Finally, my youngest started her MS social life and it freed up time for a chapter a night or two a week during the school year. I was so happy.

I don't get this. Did your kids stay up all night at a young age? I usually have time after they go to bed and then on the weekends when I can do my own thing. Seems weird to give up reading of all things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher and gave up reading for pleasure except summers until my youngest finished ES. If I had free time in the evenings or on weekends, I wanted to spend it with my kids. I read to them, of course, but it was impossible for me to find time to read a novel. I also didn’t watch adult tv during those years. I’m missing 15 years of pop culture references! Finally, my youngest started her MS social life and it freed up time for a chapter a night or two a week during the school year. I was so happy.

I don't get this. Did your kids stay up all night at a young age? I usually have time after they go to bed and then on the weekends when I can do my own thing. Seems weird to give up reading of all things.

I don’t know about her but many working moms use that 8-11 time period to fold the laundry and respond to work emails. I do an extra hour or two of work every night after the kids are in bed (plus walking the dog).

[Anonymous]

I find I read more non fiction because I can put it down with less “omg, what will happen?”. There’s some great non-fiction short writing — those anthologies like the best American science writing have some really compelling articles.

[Anonymous]

Audiobook plus one earbud while doing mindless stuff like cleaning while kids are occupied; audiobook on speaker when we are making dinner

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids?

Unless they’re super young, it’s time to start having discussions with them about

1) rest, and how humans are entitled to it AND need it to survive — reframe this idea of laziness because f*ck whomever invented that idea

2) boundaries on your rest, specifically.

Do any of them like to read? Maybe schedule some independent reading time where you all sit together and read start small, 8-10 minutes and build up.

[Anonymous]

Audiobooks on my commute, while I exercise, while I cook or clean and while I get ready for work in the morning.

[Anonymous]

My kids are older now, but I second reading during bath time. I also read while they were playing on the playground, while they were playing outside, sitting in the hallway outside their rooms to keep them from coming out again at naps and bedtime, while they were watching television, early in the morning, and if I woke up at night. Oh, and while I ate lunch at work (still do this).
I usually have a few books I’m reading at a time, and they are stashed different places around the house. I keep my kindle a my bedside and bring it with me to work.

I will say that while I love to read, I don’t care a lot about my physical books. It doesn’t bother me if they get wet or muddy or torn. I’m also not a great housekeeper.