As a child, I was an insatiable bookworm. While showering, I devoured everything from magazines and my own collection to my mother’s dog-eared paperbacks and bottles of shampoo. I carried books with me wherever I went. And when I had children of my own, one of the things I looked forward to the most was reading to them and helping them become readers.
Fortunately, it worked. All three of my daughters love books. However, even parents who love reading may find that their child is not interested in reading. And although every child is naturally allowed to have his own interests, So There are so many benefits to reading, so it’s completely natural for parents to want their children to be a little more interested in reading.
So one parent took to Reddit to ask how.
In the subreddit /parenting, the original poster (OP) shared with the community, “My child is not interested in reading. I need some advice from parents here.” OP explained that despite how much they love reading, they feel it’s a form of torture for their 8-year-old son. “A tragic power struggle ensues every night. When it’s time for his 20-minute school reading log, he groans, throws a tantrum, stalls for snacks, and stares at the clock that counts down every second,” the OP writes. “He has no interest in characters or plot or world-building. If a book doesn’t have a screen or an immediate reward, he completely shuts down.”
OP writes that this is devastating for them and that she worries that if her son continues to think of it purely as homework, he will grow up to hate literature completely. “How do you accept this, or for that matter, how do you fix it?” OP asked.
Oh my heart.
Even if you’re not a huge reader, I think we can all relate to finding joy in a way we might not find in our own children. I remember feeling the same way about baby dolls and my first daughter. My daughter loved the dolls, but I didn’t spend hours caring for them, taking them everywhere, buying them clothes at the thrift store, etc.
But reading is very good for everyone. OP’s son doesn’t need to be as obsessed with reading as OP was when he was a kid, but it would be beneficial for him to at least find something he wants to read.
And that’s how most of the advice came from.
First of all, many commenters shared that it’s all about finding books that kids actually want to read and want to read.
“I was a nanny for years, but the real breakthrough for one of my kids was, believe it or not, ‘Mad Libs.’ Having him write ‘he took his ass to the counter’ in a book totally tickled him,” one commenter wrote.
“What is he interested in? And has he tried reading books, graphic novels, or short texts on those topics?” Another recommendation.
“Our son started reading at the age of seven, just as we had imagined. He hated school books and homework, so we were worried that he would eventually hate all books, because that’s what he was,” said another parent. “First, I had to find the right books. At his age, he loves silly things and jokes, so we found the Captain Underpants comic book series, which is very silly and full of poop and fart jokes.”
Comic books, graphic novels, audiobooks, etc. One commenter suggested a book about how to be a “spy” that her child loved. Not everyone is interested in fiction or chapter books. Finding things that pique your child’s interest is the key to turning them into readers.
Other parents said that once they stopped timing their children’s reading, everything changed. There was no pressure and it felt like we were having fun together rather than doing homework.
Other parents suggested the following ideas to encourage reading:
- “Try reading to them, even books that are a little above their reading level. Both of my daughters have struggled with reading, but just by taking the pressure off them and sharing stories together, I’ve been able to motivate them to read on their own without having to struggle to get their attention.”
- “I have a regular book club with my son. I’ll bring out a blanket, a hot drink, and maybe some snacks, put on some relaxing music, and just read together. I also used to turn off the TV 30 minutes before bedtime (although I read in bed before bed, so not so much now that my son is older), and we’d all pick up a book and read together.”
- “You and your husband should read as much as possible in public areas of your home. Read whatever you like, even romantically.”
But the biggest piece of advice above all else? If screens are your child’s go-to dopamine, books may never get a fair shot. Although it may not be possible to completely detox, just losing weight may be just what your child needs.
Finally, some parents shared it. Some kids just don’t read books.. that’s ok. One commenter said that as long as they can read, there’s no need to worry too much about them not choosing books over other hobbies. It’s all about balance, and honestly, the more reading you can model and share as a family, the more likely your family will pick up a book too.
