As a passionate reader myself, I’ve always valued the importance of nurturing a love for books in my children. From the moment I could string words together, I was captivated by the stories within pages. I was reading before I even began kindergarten and devouring chapter books by first grade. Words have always flowed effortlessly for me—let’s just say math was never my strong suit!
When I was expecting my first child, I eagerly amassed a collection of children’s books. Our shelves are now brimming with hundreds of titles, many of which were generously gifted from a family I once nannied. Organizing and displaying those books filled me with anticipation for my baby’s arrival. I was set on raising a little bookworm.
Fast forward to his birth, and I read to him constantly. By the time he turned two, getting him to sit still was akin to wrestling with a slippery fish. Once I managed to calm him down, I could usually read a few pages before he would squirm away.
Now, my oldest is nearly nine years old and the eldest of three. He is truly remarkable—his intelligence makes me wonder where he came from! My husband and I are both reasonably smart, yet he seems to operate on an entirely different plane. His thirst for knowledge is boundless. We attempted to homeschool him, but I soon realized that he deserves the specialized guidance offered through gifted programs. I’m often outsmarted by my third grader, and I embrace it. His brilliant mind is a gift.
However, despite his impressive intellect, he doesn’t share my enthusiasm for reading. So much for my dream of raising a reader! We generally avoid pushing our kids into activities they don’t enjoy. Baseball? Not for him. Ice skating? A flop. Ninja Warrior classes? Not his thing either. I encourage them to explore various activities, and if they don’t enjoy them, we move on. He’s recently expressed interest in joining the Boy Scouts or trying basketball, so those may be next on the list. Eventually, something will resonate.
But reading is a different story. I’m committed to ensuring my younger children develop a love for reading as well. For now, I read to them, and my kindergartener shows the same early reading abilities as my oldest. We’re making progress.
My primary focus is on my oldest son. I’m not being stubborn simply out of a desire to mold him into a reader; it’s about unlocking the full potential of his brilliant mind. Reading is essential for expanding vocabulary, understanding language, fostering imagination, and preparing for academic challenges ahead. If he chooses to pursue higher education, mastering reading will be crucial. I want him to start developing those skills now.
Even if reading didn’t come easily to him, I’d still encourage him to persevere. In fact, if he struggled, I might be even more determined to instill a love for reading, as literacy is a gateway to countless opportunities.
I’ve tried various strategies. He’s always seen me engrossed in books, and our home is filled with them. We’ve attempted reward charts for reading, but nothing has truly motivated him. I’ve purchased countless chapter books in hopes of finding one that captivates him. I even permitted him to read on a tablet or computer—he does it, albeit reluctantly. That’s not the ideal experience; I want him to genuinely enjoy reading.
I know he’s absorbing plenty of words at school, and he’s excelling, so I’m not worried about his reading ability. I just wish he could experience the thrill of a captivating story. There are countless worlds within books, waiting to be discovered. I believe there’s a perfect book out there that could ignite his passion for reading.
Interestingly, my husband once thought he disliked reading until he met me. Together, we discovered books that piqued his interest, and now he enjoys reading immensely. It’s a shared value in our family.
I refuse to nag my child to the point where he develops a disdain for reading due to a pushy parent. Forcing the issue would only backfire. Yet, I’m not ready to abandon my hopes of helping him discover a love for reading.
My next strategy is to draw inspiration from my own childhood. My parents allowed me to stay up late to read, so I could keep my light on until 9:30 PM. Those late-night reading sessions sparked my passion for writing and have shaped who I am today.
I’m hopeful that my son will find reading more enjoyable than he currently believes. Perhaps the chance to stay up a little later will motivate him to dive into a book and uncover the treasures that lie within. While I may never succeed in turning him into an ardent reader, I’m determined to give it my all.
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In summary, my journey as a parent of a non-reading child has been filled with both challenges and determination. I’m committed to fostering a love for reading in my children, particularly my oldest, who possesses a remarkable mind. While he may not currently share my enthusiasm, I believe there’s a way to ignite that passion.