There is nothing quite like reading a good book. But when my first son was born, I admit, I thought my pleasure reading days were gone for good (or at least until kids were in school). After all, it was all I could do to get my professional continuing education reading done. Thankfully, my parents persisted in giving me a book each year for Christmas and eventually my sister inspired me to try to start reading more regularly with some excellent book recommendations. In doing so, I realized being a mom of young ones didn’t have to mean I had to be left completely out of the Goodreads loop. Here are just a few ideas that do not include using naptime (because as much as I love reading, it’s hard to compete with naptime).
1. Make a Bedtime Goal
Try keeping a book (and perhaps a reading light) by your bed with the goal of reading even just a few pages every night. It is a small time commitment, but I found adding this to my routine quickly became something I looked forward to every day.
2. Carry a Book
As with the above goal, access may equal success. Try keeping a book with you in your car, purse, briefcase, etc. Then, when you find an unexpected spare moment waiting for an appointment or in the preschool pick up line or anywhere else, you are always prepared!
3. Enlist the Kids
One great thing about being a parent that reads is that kids will eventually see this and perhaps become more interested in reading as well. Once the kids are big enough to sit still and at least flip through a book for a while, you could try initiating “family reading time” for however long they can handle (probably short at first, then longer). You could also try starting and/or ending this time with some reading aloud to them.
What are other ideas for fitting in reading into busy parent life? Share in the comments!