Mom Confessions: I Hate Reading Children's Books
It's time for a Mom Confession -- because, let's face it, we're real mothers and sometimes it doesn't work the way the parenting books say it should.
This Week's Confession:
-- I hate reading to my toddler. I know that sounds terrible, but I can't stand the characters he likes, and why do some of them have to go 50 pages? I miss the newborn days when I could read whatever I wanted to my child. -- anonymous
-- I don't read to my toddler. I like to read to her and I really try, but she doesn't like it and won't pay attention. All she wants to do is eat the book and rip the pages, so I give up. -- anonymous
-- I read adult material to my child, including the newspaper and bestselling novels. That way I get some enjoyment and he still gets the language development part of it. -- anonymous
- Every day, bar nothing. 36%
- Often, but not every day if I'm busy. 25%
- Frequently, at least several times a week. 21%
- Seldom, my kid doesn't like it and I think other things are more important. 16%
Voting on polls is not available on The Stir Mobile.
Does it matter what you read to your toddler as long as your read to them? Is it appropriate to read a bestselling novel, magazine article, or newspaper to a tot?
We all have secrets and opinions -- so thanks to these brave moms for sharing their honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation non-judgemental!
Past Confessions:
I Let My Toddler Play Outside Alone
I Turn My Kids Over to A Mom I Just Met
My Toddler Wears Crude T-Shirts
I Let My Toddlers Climb Play Equipment Unassisted
My Kids Go to Sleep After Midnight
I Let My Toddlers Go Naked in Public
I Paid $22 for My Son's Haircut
My Toddlers Eat Pizza for Breakfast
I Leave My Toddler Alone in the Bath
Our Children Aren't Invited to Our Wedding
I'm on Vacation, But My Kid Is Still Going to Day Care
Piping Hot Posts
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TKsMommie
We read everyday. And yeah some of the books are just boring and I hate reading them but when they pick out books I always make sure to pick one too, so everyone gets one they like! But most of their books are good because I have bought most of them! ANd I always point out books I loved reading at the library and they are always excited to read something I read when I was little!
crystalchu
When my son was younger I did not enjoy reading to him because he was not intrested in it. So it was a huge fight to get him to sit down long enough to finish a short story. But now that he has the attention span and actually likes being read to I enjoy it very much. I read to him every day before bedtime. I find it easier to remeber to do and he's much more calm and ready to sit and listen at bedtime. :)
Pollymom
I would like to read to my son more often, but he's 2 and sometimes he'll sit through one book and sometimes he won't. I will keep trying but it's hit and miss most days.
ethans_momma06
It is a real shame to NOT read to your child. Period. I get that sometime they want to read something that isn't your cup of tea, or that you just don't like reading...but the benefits are enormous! It doesn't really matter what you read, although you do want to try to read something engaging, but as long as they are hearing thevocabulary, it doesn't matter if you are reading to them out of a cookbook!
toriandgrace
I think it is beneficial to read age appropriate material, some of the time if not all the time. We read three stories at bedtime. There are a few books that my daughter owns that I hate, and if I'm in a very irritable mood, I will tell her to pick a different book. Most of the time she asks me to pick the stories though, so we stick to Bernstein Bears, Little Critter, and my favorites like Corduroy, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Madeline, etc.
For those with two year olds, try sitting down and pointing things out rather than trying to read the words. Most toddlers don't have the attention span for the story, but will point out words they know. It increases interest in books and advances vocabulary.
My three year old has always loved books, one time I let her pick as many books as she wanted before bed (dad was deployed and I was BORED). We read over 15.
RanaAurora
If your children are extremely young... like, under 7-8 months old, read them the phone book for all they care - it's good for them!
But seriously, don't skimp on reading. If you don't like their books, buy some you might tolerate a little more. While repetition is good for them, you can get a wide variety of books so you have more to choose from as well. Like toriandgrace, there are times I'm grumpy and he chooses a book I HATE and I'll tell my son to choose a different one because I don't want to read that one right now.
If their books are too long for your liking, tell them you're only going to read X number of pages tonight, and you'll pick it up where you left off tomorrow, or tell them they can either have their normal three books, or this ONE long book.
Do what you need to do, but never DON'T read to your children. God knows this country has a low enough adult English level, your kids NEED it.
aurorabunny
I agree with Rana and ethansmomma. That's a real shame. Whether you like it or not, DO IT.
josie_mommyof2
Dh does not like reading to the kids. He reads fine and all, but, he just hates reading out loud, kinda slow with it, trys to make each and every word perfect and not miss anything.
I one the other hand, LOVE reading to the kids!!!! I love doing the different voices and accents. I Love when there is a creepy crawly creature in the book, that my free hand becomes "The Tickle Monster".
I do NOT like reading the loooooong boring books. But, the kids dont' like them either, they won't pay attention. But, the books that rhyme and are just fun, all 3 of us get into it.
I think to really get in to it, it kinda helps to become the character, ya know what I mean? Do the voices. Act the part. It can be fun.
Freela
I am really selective in what books I buy. If I am going to be reading them ten thousand times, I want to make sure that I like them! Nothing drives me nuts more than being given a book that the kids like that I can't stand... those books get 'lost' in a hurry. I do let them take out whatever they want from the library, because those books get given back. But if it's gonna stay in my house indefinitely, it's gotta pass inspection!
DStephens7
My son is 18 months and he doesn't really sit and pay attention. He tries to tear the book up or just gets up and leaves. However, I did find a book the other day at Sam's that is sooo cool. It is counting, letters, colors and shapes. It is a huge book that is like 10X15 and it is really thick and soft. It has these pull out parts to where you can match up the numbers or letters to the question it has. It is really neat and he loves it!