Make Time to Read

Another load of laundry to put in, a phonics lesson to give, and dinner to fix.

What Mom has time to read?

Another paper to write, a textbook chapter to read, and a test to study for.

What teenager has time to read for pleasure? 

The lawn to mow, a presentation to prepare for at the office, and bills to pay. 

What Dad has time to pick up a good book and read it? 

​Added to that, it is so much easier on the mind to turn on the TV and watch a show or movie. 

So, why should we make time to read?

Reading is soothing, relaxing, and refreshing. When I spend time reading a book I enjoy, I feel stress melt away. It revives me. 

Reading stimulates our mind like an aerobic workout for the mind. As I get older and can't remember things sometimes, I am glad for anything that keeps my mind sharp! I need that! 

Reading increases our vocabulary, helps us to communicate more effectively, and gives us something meaningful to talk about. Isn't it fun to talk about a book you are reading? 

So, how can we make time to read?

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Reading before you fall asleep is a great way to set time aside to read. Installing a small nightlight allows you to read in bed while your partner is sleeping without waking him or her. I've always let my children read before falling asleep if they want to. 

For Moms, we made the toddler and baby's naptime our family reading time. Everyone either napped or read a book. Sometimes reading a book led to a quick snooze. This was such a pleasant peaceful time in our home when the children were young. It was so quiet and because I let the children read whatever they wanted to, it made reading a delight, not a burden. 

For children giving them free reading time in the middle of the day or late afternoon is a great idea, especially if it becomes a routine. Reading time followed by active play or hands-on learning has worked well with little ones in our home. 

How about making one night a week a reading night. Serve snacks. Turn the lights on. Turn the TV off. Let the whole family choose whatever reading material they want and turn the family room into a quiet library reading room for 1-2 hours. Everyone will appreciate the break from the noise of TV and the glares of computers and phone screens. 

Like most things we want to do, but don't seem to have time to do, we just have to schedule it in. I hope you will make time to relax and read a good book. You'll be glad you did. 

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If you would like to learn more about reading and other key subjects, the "Majors" in homeschooling, I have written a short book, The Seven R's of Homeschooling. In our home, we learned that you can be pulled in so many directions, but their are a few important things that can set students up for a lifetime of success in school and after school is over.

A quick read, this book takes homeschooling parents on a whirlwind tour through the tools of learning: Relationships, Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic, Research, Rhetoric, and Right Living. With a quick explanation of why they matter and how they help students learn for a lifetime, parents learn how to build that subject strongly into their homeschool. This is a very practical, not philosophical, book. 

You can purchase The Seven R's of Homeschooling  at Amazon in print and for your kindle. You can purchase the E-book at PayHip. It will make a difference in how you look at homeschooling and how you teach your children.

Until next time, happy homeschooling. 

Warmly, 
​Meredith ​

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