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I have a somewhat embarrassing confession to make.

I am The Bookish Mama.

I read constantly. I own more books than I have shelf space for. I have reading journals, bookish stickers, and a never-ending TBR list.

And my children don’t really like to read.

In fact, my seven-year-old still struggles with reading at all. It’s something we’re actively working on, and some days it feels like one step forward and two steps back.

The boys can read. They do read.

They just don’t choose reading when left to their own devices.

If given the choice between a book and literally anything else, the book usually loses.

As a reader, that’s hard for me.

Not because I expect my children to become little book dragons who devour novels the way I do, but because I know what reading has given me over the years.

Books taught me empathy. They gave me adventures when I couldn’t afford to travel. They taught me things, comforted me, entertained me, and occasionally kept me awake until 2 a.m. questioning all of my life choices.

I’d love for my children to experience some of that too.

So instead of forcing reading or turning it into a battle, we’ve been trying a few simple things that make books more accessible and a little more appealing.

With summer approaching and three children who seem physically incapable of sitting still, these are the things that have worked for us.

#1. We Have Mandatory Outside Time

This one always makes me laugh because it feels like something our parents never had to implement.

When I was a kid, being outside wasn’t an activity. It was just where we lived from breakfast until the streetlights came on.

Now, if I tell my son the Xbox is off and it’s time to go outside, he reacts like I’ve personally ruined his entire summer.

So we have a simple rule.

Every day, the children are expected to spend some time outside.

Ride bikes. Build forts. Dig holes for absolutely no reason. Chase each other around the yard. Whatever.

But if it’s raining, too hot, or they genuinely don’t want to go outside, that’s okay.

The alternative is quiet reading time.

Most days they choose outside.

Sometimes they choose books.

And every time one of them voluntarily picks up a book instead of asking for a screen, I count that as a parenting victory.

#2. I Embraced the Devices

I know.

A post about encouraging reading and my solution is… more screens.

Trust me, the irony is not lost on me.

We do have screen-free time every day, and I think that’s important. But I’ve also learned that sometimes the easiest way to encourage a behavior is to work with your children instead of against them.

My kids already love technology.

I could spend every day fighting that reality, or I could use it to my advantage.

So a few years ago, we bought the kids Amazon Fire tablets and set them up with Amazon Kids.

One of my favorite things about the setup is that I can manage everything from my phone. I can control screen time, approve apps, and decide what content they have access to.

More importantly, it allows me to download books directly onto their devices.

Since I already have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, I can borrow children’s books and add them to their tablets. The kids love having their own little “Kindles” just like Mom.

It makes reading feel special instead of feeling like homework.

For my daughter, who still struggles with reading, the technology has been especially helpful.

She can have Alexa read certain books aloud while she follows along with the words on the screen. It’s a great confidence booster because she gets to enjoy stories that might otherwise feel frustrating or out of reach.

And when we’re focusing specifically on reading skills, she’s also allowed to use educational apps like Teach Your Monster to Read during designated reading time.

Would I prefer all three children curl up with a stack of paperbacks every afternoon?

Of course.

But if a tablet gets them excited about books, helps build confidence, or encourages them to spend thirty minutes reading instead of watching YouTube videos, I’m calling that a win.

#3. Reading Is Part of Bedtime

This one wasn’t my idea. I saw it on TikTok and immediately stole it.

Around here, bedtime is 8:00 p.m.

But there’s a catch.

The kids can earn an extra thirty minutes before bed if they spend that time quietly reading.

Not playing games.

Not watching videos.

Just reading.

Sometimes they aren’t interested and head straight upstairs.

Sometimes they start reading and end up getting sleepy enough to put themselves to bed.

And sometimes, the magic happens.

Someone gets invested in a story.

Someone wants to know what happens next.

Someone asks for “just one more chapter.”

As a reader, those are my favorite nights.

Because I don’t really care whether my children grow up to be massive bookworms like me.

I just want them to see reading as something enjoyable rather than something they’re forced to do.

If they leave childhood believing books are an option when they’re bored, curious, sad, excited, or looking for an adventure, I’ll consider that a success.

#4. I Let Them Read What They Want

This one is hard for me.

I want the children to be excited about the books that excite me. Fantasy novels with dragons and elves. Epic adventures. Magical worlds. The kinds of books that kept me up way too late as a kid because I just had to know what happened next.

But my 10-year-old son would much rather read graphic novels. He devours Dog Man and Cat Kid Comic Club books like they’re literary masterpieces.

And our 12-year-old loves Harry Potter.

I’ll admit, that one is a little complicated for me. There are things about the author that I strongly disagree with, and if it were up to me, there are plenty of other fantasy series I’d rather see him obsessed with.

But children have their own preferences.

The goal isn’t to raise children who read exactly what I want them to read. The goal is to raise children who enjoy reading.

So if it has words on pages, is age appropriate, and they’re excited about it, it counts.

Because at the end of the day, I’d rather have a child enthusiastically reading graphic novels than a child who thinks books are a chore.

#5. I Try To Say Yes When I Can

Life is expensive right now.

I feel like the children are constantly asking for things, and I’m constantly having to say no because I’m thinking about the next bill, the next grocery trip, or the next unexpected expense.

But as much as possible, I try to say yes to books.

When they get excited about the next novel in a series and want to go get it right away? You bet.

When my son asks for money for the school book fair because he saw in the flyer that they’ll have the newest Dog Man book? I’ll find the cash.

And when people ask what they can give the kids for birthdays and holidays, bookstore gift cards are always on the list.

Sometimes the local library is all I can manage, and honestly, libraries are amazing. But whenever possible, I let them buy the books they’re excited about.

Because books aren’t really toys.

I’m hoping the books they own end up with cracked spines, dog-eared pages, and covers held together with tape because they’ve been read over and over again.

I’m hoping they become trusted friends.

The kind of books they reach for on a rainy afternoon. The kind they reread years later because they remember how they felt the first time they opened them.

So whenever I can, I say yes to books.

#6. They Need To See Me Reading

Obviously, I spend a fair amount of time with my nose in a book.

But if I’m being honest, a lot of my reading happens in bed while the baby naps beside me. Or while I’m listening to an audiobook on a walk. Or at the gym.

I don’t often curl up in the living room recliner with a physical book while the children are all around me.

But I’m working on that.

Because children learn a lot more from what we do than what we say.

I want them to see that reading isn’t just something I tell them to do. It’s something I genuinely enjoy.

I want them to see me get excited about a new release. I want them to hear me talking about books. I want them to know that reading is something adults do for fun, not just something assigned by teachers at school.

And as much as I don’t always want to, I let them browse my bookshelves and ask questions about my collection.

I don’t know if my children will ever become readers the way I am.

Maybe they’ll grow up to always have a book in their bag.

Maybe they’ll read one novel a year.

Maybe they’ll stick to graphic novels and audiobooks.

And honestly, that’s okay.

All I can do is keep putting books in their path, make reading accessible, and show them what a reading life looks like.

The rest is up to them.

In the meantime, they’re always welcome to browse my bookshelves.

Just don’t lick the sprayed edges, guys.

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Before You Go…

I’d love to hear from you!

Do your children enjoy reading, or is it something you have to encourage in your home too? Let me know in the comments. I’m always looking for new ideas to help raise readers.

If you’re interested in some of the tools and resources we use, I’ve put together a collection of our favorite reading accessories for kids, including the tablets, cases, and reading tools my children use most often.

And if you enjoy books, motherhood, and honest stories about family life, be sure to join my email list below. You’ll get updates whenever I publish a new post, plus occasional bookish goodies and freebies.

Looking for more posts? You might also enjoy:

• Why It’s So Hard to Maintain Hobbies After Having a Baby
• Reading One Month Postpartum
• Parenting Through Natural Consequences
• Things I Wish I Knew With My First Baby

Happy reading,

The Bookish Mama❤️