There’s nothing better than encouraging a kid to love reading, whether you’re their parent, teacher, librarian, babysitter, or weird older cousin. Reading is the best, and it’s something that will be a lifelong friend.
It can be hard for books to compete these days, with all of the other forms of media vying for our attention, and so growing readers has become more difficult – but these 11 hacks should put your kiddo on the right track.
11. Yeah I’m pretty sure he heard that.
Bless his heart.
This thread makes my heart sing. One of my proudest moments was when I finished reading “A Little Princess” at 10pm by the light from the hallway at around 8 or 9 years old. Dad was doing home repairs. I moved my bed so I could have enough light to read. He didn’t say a word. β€
β Nicole Eckerson (@NikkiMaySmiles) August 14, 2020
10. Man those things were so heavy, too!
Kids today don’t know how easy they’ve got it.
I, also, totally thought I was sneaky reading by flashlight.
And, at the same time, never questioned why my flashlight never ran out of batteries.Though mine were those terribly huge D-batteries with an incandescent bulb. π
β FoxPharmD (@FoxPharmD) August 14, 2020
9. She no doubt gave her the line about ruining her eyes.
It’s in the parenting handbook.
My mum caught me trying to read by the tiny orange light on an electric blanket switch. I was probably younger than 8. She told me that if I wanted to stay awake later reading then I could without getting in trouble,just use my bedside light.
β Coops (@CoopsPol2020) August 14, 2020
8. That’s a silent go-ahead.
Your parents just get you.
I used to get in trouble for reading past bedtime. And then I got the 90βs equivalent of one of these as a present π pic.twitter.com/4U15g9ziWz
β Real Witch Girl Shit π§πΎββοΈβ¨ππ§πΎββοΈπ (@azurebowie) August 14, 2020
7. The dream right there.
Eye on the prize, people.
We were very strict about our childrenβs bedtimes, which were earlier than all their friends, but they were allowed to keep the light on and read as long a they wanted. Result was 3 avid readers!
β Christine Armstrong (@CycleGBcoast) August 15, 2020
6. Oh, they always know.
They just don’t always want to walk up the stairs again.
I used to sneak to the bedroom door & read by the light coming in from the landing (brother was scared of the dark). If I heard parents approaching, I would run back across the room to bed and lie on top of the book. Thinking back, it must have been SO obvious what I was up to!
β πππ (@meldoeslife) August 14, 2020
5. It’s all about finding the right book.
There’s one for everyone.
Sat my reluctant 9yo daughter down one bedtime and read her the first couple of pages of Harry Potter. 24 hours later I suggested the next few pages. “I’m already on chapter 8” she said. She’s never been without a book on the go ever since.
β Richard Clark (@glassboy68) August 15, 2020
4. You think you’re pulling one over on your parents…
Until the day you realize they were pulling one over on you.
I always wondered why, if reading past bedtime was against the rules, my parents got one of those wall lamps with its own switch & put it over my headboard. now Im realizing they were probably pulling off the same ruse as you.
β Lex πΉ (@lexi_austin) August 14, 2020
3. This type of thing worked on so many people.
It must be the way to go!
You have just brought back wonderful memories of my dad sneaking in to my room, knowing I was sneakily reading, and sneaking out again. And then we would talk about the book the next day. Very often Agatha Christie.
Thank you for the memory!
And go your 8yo. ππΌππβ Kate Fleming (@kate_m_fleming) August 14, 2020
2. It’s no good if they think it’s allowed.
Gotta keep ’em on their toes.
Sometimes, you got to βcatchβ them and send them to bed to keep the ruse up.
β screamingmd (@screamingmd) August 14, 2020
1. Is there any better way to fall asleep?
No. No there is not.
Our rule was that you could go straight to bed, or read in bed until you were sleepy. Everyone had a bed lamp and a basket of books at the bottom of the bed, or a stack on the nightstand. When sleepy enough, they drifted off.
β MJSW (@juneafternoon1) August 14, 2020
I will try all of these if that’s what it takes!
Have you found a hack that works on your kids? Share it with us in the comments!