It's "Love of Reading Week" at Quirky Bookworm, and I'm all excited because what do I love more than books?
God, yes.
My family, certainly.
But I can't think of anything else that quite fills me up like a good book.
As a mom of three little ones, though, finding time to read is a challenge. However, like everything else in life, I earnestly believe that if we plan for it, it will happen.
Here are some of my personal tips for making time to read:
1. Take advantage of the kids' sleeping times.
Duh, I know. But I'm serious about this. If you want to be a better cook or writer, you use any and all free time to practice cooking or writing. If you want to read more books, you use those precious minutes to read!
Some of you may think me lazy, but nap time in our house is also Mama's time to read, rest, and write. Establish that as law now, and when the toddler is no longer napping, she will respect your space and keep quiet so you both can read.
2. Take a book with you wherever you go.
Whether you're partial to the tangible book or like reading on your Kindle, iPad, or smart phone, have something read to read with you at all times. I always put a book in my purse when I have to go the doctor or ride in the car.
Or check out E-Reader Girl where you can find free e-books to download. You never know when you'll just be sitting idly by waiting. Why not have a book to read to the pass the time?
3. Pencil it in!
Perhaps you have an allotted time to do meal prep or household chores. Why not add 15-30 minutes to your schedule just for reading? Even when the kids are awake, we do blanket time where they sit quietly and play for 20-30 minutes each day. My girls love blanket time and so does Mama because I get to read. Win-win!
4. Get up with the chickens!
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| Photo Credit: SMcGarnigle |
Yes, you're tired, mama. I know. I am too. But I'm desperate for time to read, so I wake up with the hubs around 5:00 most mornings just to read my Bible, plan my day, write, and read something fun. Now there are mornings I sleep in because I've been up and down with a child, but I love having the quiet mornings to myself just to read.
5. Read with the kids, but not necessarily together.
This one works well if your children are already reading, but even if they aren't fully literate, set out some books--maybe new ones from the library or some they haven't seen in a while--and everyone sits quietly and "reads" or reads whatever the case may be. My four and two-year-old love to do this because they feel all big and grown up.
6. Read aloud together.
There are so many fantastic read-aloud books for you and the kids to enjoy. Might I recommend a few? All Our Days has a great post on Cynthia Rylant chapter book read-alouds, perfect for preschoolers.
I also like Modern Mrs. Darcy's (free) e-book Paper Gains, which is chock full of excellent classics for kids.
Some of our favorite read-alouds are the Amelia Bedelia books by Peggy Parish, Fancy Nancy books by Jane O'Connor, and Maisy books by Lucy Cousins.
Sure, we are all busy Mamas, but that doesn't mean we have to relinquish a good book. The house will always be dirty and there will always be something we need to do, but--FOR THE LOVE OF READING--take a break right now and read a good book.
It's how we grow.
What about you, busy mama? How do you make time to read?
Blessings to you as you grow in His glory,
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This is great!! I also read while I'm at the gym on an eliptical or treadmill - great way to stay healthy, and my kids get to play in the childcare with other kids for a couple of hours - win-win
ReplyDeleteMarissa
http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com
Marissa, I have tried and tried to read while on the treadmill but I can't do it. Running and reading just doesn't work for me. I wish it did.
DeleteOne thing I've considered is listening to an audio book while exercising; I think I could handle that!
Keri
I do quite a few people that listen their books - just never got into myself - although I could see the benefit!
DeleteThanks for the helpful post! I have been wanting to read lately!
ReplyDeleteTonya, you are welcome. I hope you find some time to read!
DeleteSome great ideas for mom's with little ones.
ReplyDeleteI often carry a book in my purse as well. As my kids grew older I started finding myself reading more in the car waiting for them! :)
Thanks, Cathy!
DeleteI don't do a lot of waiting for my kids right now. If I do, there's another one or two in the car with me and that does not allow for ANY reading. But one day, I'm sure :)
I definitely take a book wherever I go. Also, if everyone is watching a movie but I'm not interested, I'll sit with everyone and read. I've also tried to read while stirring something on the stove, but you have to be careful with that one! Great post, Keri!
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Meghan, for reading while everyone else is watching a movie. I do the same thing because I am not a movie watcher like everyone else in my family.
DeleteI don't think I could read and cook simultaneously either. I burn rice even when I'm paying attention :)
Thanks for commenting. Hope you are doing well and your kids are better.
I've done all of the above to both read and write. I enjoy reading at the end of the day, before bed. It helps relax me. Found you through the Cozy Book Hop and I'm a new follower. http://georgielee.blogspot.com Have a great Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Georgie Lee. I have found that if I turn the computer and TV off and spend the last 30-45 minutes before bed reading that I much more relaxed and ready to sleep.
DeleteThanks for stopping by! I hope you will visit often!
Keri
I LOVE the Kate Morton book sticking out of your purse!
ReplyDeleteAnd, we love the Maisy books too -- aren't they great?
I've just (in the last week or so) started reading for a bit while Eleanor plays in the morning. She won't read while I read, but if I stretch out on the playroom floor with a book, she'll play with blocks or trains or whatever, and quite often my legs get incorporated into the play. It only lasts 10-15 minutes, until she asks me to stop reading, but it's a nice little break! :)
Ha, thanks!
DeleteThe stories aren't that inspiring, but we love the illustrations and sweet characters. Who couldn't love an elephant named Eddie and a chicken called Tallulah?
I would love to be able to do this. My girls are entirely too loud for me to read and comprehend but I like this idea a lot.
These are all great tips, Keri! I've learned to read during my kids rest times, but I can also read in the mornings while they are all still a little sleepy and haven't gotten wound up yet. They play or sit quietly, and I read for about 15 to 30 minutes.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I think I need to try your morning reading idea with my kids. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteI love this list! I don't have kids yet, but a lot of these can be used by anybody who feels like they don't have the time to read. I'll take any time when the dogs are napping to get a quick reading break :D
ReplyDeleteWe've decided against having cable in our house. We'll sometimes watch shows online that we really like, but we get a lot of extra time to read from not having that distraction in the house.
Nikki, you are so right. This list should be for any person struggling to find time to read. There are so many distractions vying for our attention that often reading a good book gets neglected because we don't make time for it.
DeleteI think nixing the cable is a great idea! We shut off ours last summer and haven't looked back. I love how my husband and I spend our time reading instead of vegging out with the TV on. I feel like I'm getting so much more done. However, we do Netflix so that we do enjoy TV every now and then.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing. One thing I've done is to tell myself no computer time in the evenings... especially if I've already checked email and FB during the day. I don't need to go back to that - I can sit and read a book (and feel productive!) instead. I also like the idea of reading while my girls read (and sometimes I tell them Mommy just needs ten or twenty minutes of quiet, so we all read together and then I'll read them a book). :)
ReplyDeleteI try not to use the computer after 8:30 at night. Then, I read until bedtime (for about an hour). It's a rule I'm
Deletevery adamant about keeping because I could stay online all night and never read a word :)
Don't you just love feeling productive? There's something about being on Facebook that flies in the face of productivity :)
Thanks for sharing this list! I agree with Bonnie above, I have to set limits for checking blogs and Twitter. Too many times I lose track of the time and discover I have wasted all my reading time posting on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI love having the Kindle app on my phone with a book waiting for me where ever I go!
I also struggle with the social media vacuum. I am trying to read a book right now, but the allure of Facebook and Pinterest gets me every time! Finding a good balance is so hard. I try to carve out time in the evenings to turn off the computer, get in bed, have some herbal tea, and read. But sometimes that just doesn't happen!
DeleteI love the Kindle app, too.
I discovered most of these ideas one by one as a young mom desperate for some reading time. I am glad you shared these with other young mommas.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura. It's amazing how resourceful we can be when we really want to do something!
Delete