Reading addiction — 7 year old

[Anonymous]

I have a “good” problem, but still a problem — hoping some parents have dealt with this successfully. With the pandemic we haven’t been socializing much and our 7 year old has developed a reading addiction. He does go to school in person since September. But when at home he only likes to read. Yesterday we were meeting friends for an outdoor masked play date for his younger brother. He has loved play dates with this family in the past but now wanted to stay inside and read. When we are at dinner we have to tear the book away so he will talk with us. In the middle of the morning rush, same thing — we find him with a book instead of doing what he needs to do to get out of the door on time. He takes music and a second language, and it’s been hard to get him to practice or do his (minimal) HW because he goes to his room to do it but ends up with a book.

He gets plenty of playtime at school and independent reading time there and at home. I obviously don’t want to discourage the reading. But at the same fine we have talked about how it’s not polite to read in a communal meal, how reading once you’re done getting ready is fine but not in between, how focusing on one thing at a Rome is important. He says yes ok but then back to the same. What would/did you do in this situation?

[Anonymous]

Sorry for typos — fine = time, Rome = time

[Anonymous]

That sounds like a good problem to have!

[Anonymous]

Parent of older kids and I opened the post with a smile because once upon a time I felt the exact same (used to say said child “reads on his way to reading”) and now I have a teen who will barely read . Not to sound patronizing because I do feel your concern but I think no need for concern as at some point I promise your child will break to enjoy other experiences as well. We did have a rule no books at dinner table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That sounds like a good problem to have!

I know... but if it was an iPad it would be interfering with socializing, exercise, and getting work done. Forgot to mention that also when he gets mad with his younger brother instead of working it out he says he needs to take a break and calm down and goes to his room with a book. Maybe this is anxiety? Related to pandemic?

[Anonymous]

Same here - 6.5 yr old. We have a no books at the dinner table rule, but he can have them at breakfast. I also tell him he has to play during virtual recess not read, because play is important. He gripes and pushes back, but does what I ask. We give him a full hour to read to himself at bedtime.

The most frustrating thing is asking him to get dressed adn seeing him with getting dressed while reading - one leg in the air, half a shirt on, book in hand/table. Its hilarious but frustrating!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of older kids and I opened the post with a smile because once upon a time I felt the exact same (used to say said child “reads on his way to reading”) and now I have a teen who will barely read . Not to sound patronizing because I do feel your concern but I think no need for concern as at some point I promise your child will break to enjoy other experiences as well. We did have a rule no books at dinner table.

Ok thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That sounds like a good problem to have!

I know... but if it was an iPad it would be interfering with socializing, exercise, and getting work done. Forgot to mention that also when he gets mad with his younger brother instead of working it out he says he needs to take a break and calm down and goes to his room with a book. Maybe this is anxiety? Related to pandemic?

My 7yo also tends to gravitate towards reading when he gets mad and stomps away to his room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same here - 6.5 yr old. We have a no books at the dinner table rule, but he can have them at breakfast. I also tell him he has to play during virtual recess not read, because play is important. He gripes and pushes back, but does what I ask. We give him a full hour to read to himself at bedtime.

The most frustrating thing is asking him to get dressed adn seeing him with getting dressed while reading - one leg in the air, half a shirt on, book in hand/table. Its hilarious but frustrating!

I was this kid. Please try to get them to engage with other people - i wish my parents had pushed me out of my comfort zone a little more. Require them to sign up for / do one non reading activity, preferably one involving social skills. Doesn’t matter if they are awesome at it, but can you find something safe right now?

[Anonymous]

Sounds like he is in school and plays there?

This is not a problem. At all.

[Anonymous]

I was like this, and so was my daughter, although we did socialize with others. I think reading is a comfort to him now, and during the pandemic, we need what we can get.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes you just have to take the book away and force them to play outside or eat dinner with the family. Also hide it at night so they don’t stay up all night reading.

[Anonymous]

I have ADHD and was like this as a child-- reading was the object of my hyperfocus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of older kids and I opened the post with a smile because once upon a time I felt the exact same (used to say said child “reads on his way to reading”) and now I have a teen who will barely read . Not to sound patronizing because I do feel your concern but I think no need for concern as at some point I promise your child will break to enjoy other experiences as well. We did have a rule no books at dinner table.

Ha! Was coming in here to say the same.

[Anonymous]

Another parent of a young voracious reader here, who's now HS student (in an AP English class, in an MCPS magnet), hasn't read a single book all year. Still has an A though