Raise A Reader When You Hate Reading
Everywhere you look, you see the importance of instilling a love of reading in your child. However, what if you hate reading? Is it still possible to raise a child that loves books when you’d rather get a root canal than even step into a bookstore?
The answer is Yes! It is possible to raise a reader when you hate reading. As someone who struggled with reading but eventually became a book lover, I am living proof that it can be done.
Growing up, my mother was not a big reader. In fact, she had informed me that she had never read a single book from cover to cover. But when I had my nose in a book, she encouraged me and even requested that my children bring books to read to her during a sleepover.
As I thought about how my mother raised a reader despite her own dislike of reading, I realized that there were valuable lessons to be learned. Today, I am excited to share these tips with you, particularly for working moms who homeschool. Let’s dive in!
5 Tips To Raise a Reader When You Hate Reading
If you’re a working mom who homeschools and you hate reading, you may be wondering how you can possibly instill a love of books in your child.
Fortunately, there are practical and effective ways to raise a reader even if you don’t enjoy reading yourself.
In this post, I’ll share five tips that will help you raise a child who loves to read, even if you’d rather do anything else. These tips are based on personal experience.
So whether you’re homeschooling your child or simply looking for ways to encourage a love of reading at home, these tips are sure to help.
Tip # 1. Discover Why You Hate Reading
If you hate reading, it’s important to understand the root of the issue.
Some possible reasons for disliking reading include:
- never being encouraged to read
- not having access to books
- not having enough time to read
- or struggling with reading in general
Once you’ve identified the cause of your aversion to reading, you can work to address it with your own children.
For example, you can encourage your children to read books and ask them to tell you about the stories they’re reading. By asking questions about the characters, plot, setting, and other aspects of the story, you can help your child develop their reading comprehension skills and gain insight into their literary preferences. This is especially useful during the teenage years when communication can become more challenging.
To foster open communication, try asking open-ended questions that can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” By doing so, you can encourage your child to express themselves and share their thoughts and feelings with you.
Tip # 2. Expose Them To Books
Even if you don’t enjoy reading yourself, it’s important to expose your child to books. While buying books can be expensive, visiting your local library can be a cost-effective solution.
Many libraries have evolved in recent years and are now bright, cheerful, and even offer WiFi. This means that while your child explores shelves and shelves of books, you can catch up on your own interests using your phone or tablet.
In addition to providing access to books, many libraries offer free programs, such as read-alouds, circle time, and crafting opportunities for children of all ages. You can check the library schedule or ask a librarian for more information about these events. Some libraries even offer free tours and will teach your child how to find different books. Best of all, library cards are free!
Tip # 3. Use Audiobooks
Listening to audiobooks can be a fantastic way to encourage your child to love books, even if you’re not a fan of reading.
One of the benefits of audiobooks is that they expose children to books they may not have picked up otherwise. Plus, it’s a great activity for children to do while they color or do crafts.
Here are some extra resources to help you get started:
Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Around The World Stores: Audiobooks with interactive “done for you” materials for ages 4-10
- Audible: An app from Amazon, get two free e-books when you sign up!
Tip # 4. Make Reading Fun
One of the best ways to raise a reader when you hate reading is to make it fun for both you and your child. Find books that cater to your child’s interests and read with enthusiasm. Use silly voices, accents or sound effects to make the characters come alive.
You can also make reading a game. Challenge your child to read a certain number of books in a week or month and offer a reward. Or have a family book club where everyone reads the same book and discusses it together.
Another fun idea is to act out the story. You can assign different roles to family members and even use props to make it more engaging.
Another idea is to create a cozy reading nook in your home with comfortable chairs, blankets, and pillows.
If your child is struggling with reading, try using reading apps or games to make it more engaging. There are many free apps available that can help improve reading skills while being entertaining.
Remember, the goal is to make reading an enjoyable experience for your child, and in turn, it will become more enjoyable for you too.
Tip #5 Make it a Family Activity
Reading can be a fun and enjoyable family activity. Instead of everyone sitting in front of the TV or staring at their phones, set aside some time each day or week for family reading time.
This can be as simple as everyone grabbing their own book and sitting in the living room together, or taking turns reading out loud from a book that the whole family can enjoy.
Making reading a family activity not only promotes a love of reading but also strengthens family bonds and creates lasting memories. And who knows, you might even find that you start to enjoy reading too!
By making reading a fun and enjoyable activity that the whole family can participate in, you can raise a reader even if you hate reading.
Reading Resources:
Sometimes the best way to encourage reading is with the right resources.
You Can Raise A Reader Even If You HATE Reading
Raising a reader when you hate reading might seem like an impossible task, but it’s not.
By following these five tips: discovering the root of the problem, exposing them to books, using audiobooks, finding books that interest them, and modeling reading, you can help your child develop a love for reading.
Reading is a fundamental skill that opens the door to endless possibilities and fosters imagination and creativity. So, whether you love to read or hate it, it’s never too late to raise a reader.
Start today and enjoy the journey of watching your child’s love for reading grow. Remember, you can raise a reader when you hate reading, and it’s a gift that will last a lifetime.
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Hi, I’m Jen. I help working moms juggle their career and homeschool their kids by providing support, systems and tools. You are warmly invited to Join the Online Community Here!
