Reading with kids

[imoan]

I was just in the kitchen here at work, and I was talking to a few people about what our plans were for the weekend. When someone mentioned that it's supposed to be nice tomorrow, I said "GREAT! I was planning on sitting outside and reading all day tomorrow... I need to finish my book". The coworkers just laughed at me. They said that they literally can't remember the last time they got to do any hardcore reading since their children came. We had this whole discussion about how they'll get 3 paragraphs in and then the kids are calling for something and you go back to it and have to read the same 3 paragraphs over and over again. I then made the mistake of saying I plan on sitting outside with a glass of riesling while I read, and they were like "That's a REAL dream".

So, I was wondering... how many avid readers on this board have children? Do you just happen to be able to find time to read... or do you work hard to schedule it in? Do you find you read a lot less since kids... or do you feel that your reading habits really haven't changed?

I'm wondering if the people I was speaking to really weren't huge readers in the first place... but you never know.

[doxies]

I have kids and I still read a ton. I almost always read at night before bed so the kids aren't an issue there. But I often read during the weekend while the kids are around. I think it sets a good example that reading is an enjoyable activity.

I really don't find that they are an impediment to my reading.

I vote that they are mommy martyrs.

[EloiseWeenie]

I read a book for me almost every day. I read to them daily.

[kicius56]

Ummm...they don't sound like readers to me. Maybe because I read more now that I have a kid.

I read during my commute to and from work and in the evenings sometimes when I really can't put the book down. Sometimes I read around DS, but that doesn't last long. I doubt he knows what I am doing because I read on the Kindle app on my phone. I might as well be on GBCN or TB for all he knows.

ETA: I read a children's book to him as much as I can, especially on the weekends.

[sam20]

A 2 1/2 year old and a baby on the way. Nap time and bed time are great things for reading. I'll also read at times when she is awake. Usually something I don't have to concentrate too hard on though because of frequent interruptions.

[housegeek]

I have a 3 and 4 year old, I've always read a ton. Kids haven't affected that at all. Although I had a harder time reading paper books because my kids would also like to " read" them, and I'd always lose my page. When I got my kindle it was a non issue.

[textbookcase]

I have 3 kids and I read pretty much every day (not including books I read to them/with them). I didn't read much right after they were born in those crazy first six weeks or so, but that's it.

[imoan]

Yeah, I'm starting to think that these people just weren't readers to begin with. It makes me feel a LITTLE less terrified to have kids. Imoan WONT lose her reading time, yo!

[charlatti]

Ditto everyone else -- I read just as much as I did before, perhaps more. I think now I'm more likely to read than turn on the TV at the end of the day because I'm ready for quiet. DD loves books too, and I like to think my example is helping that.

[sawyerthedestroyer]

Like PP said, I'm more likely to read than turn on the TV because I like the quiet and I don't want DS to just sit staring at the TV all the time. The weather has been wonderful lately and we spend a lot of time in the backyard, he toddles around and explores, I sit in my chair and keep one eye on him, one eye on my book.

[marissa]

I read when the kids are in bed. I am a writer for a magazine and my job is to review books. I don't get paid to do it; it's all volunteer but it is getting my name out there. I've read tons on my own and have been averaging a book a week for my magazine.

[whitepicketfence]

Having one child didn't have much of an impact on my reading but now that I have 2 kids, I have to really work at finding the time to read. I try to read during their naptimes but, try as I might, they don't always nap on the same schedule. Reading while they're awake is impossible since someone always needs me and my kids are too young to really play quietly by themselves for an extended period of time yet. I also try to read once they go to bed at night but since DD2 doesn't STTN yet and I don't get much downtime during the day, I'm often too exhausted.

I get most of my reading done on my "mom's night off" - once a week, DH gives the kids their baths and puts them bed while I read at Starbucks/B&N for a few hours.

[BravoBravo]

Like others said, I read during naptime and after bedtime.

[ThirdandLong]

I would say that my reading habits have definitely changed, and yes, at present I do read A LOT less than I did before children. But my kids are little and require much personal attention. I read while I rock my daughter to sleep (Reason 435 why I love my backlit Nook). I also read after the kids are in bed and my other chores are finished.

My husband and I have an unspoken agreement that when one is trying to finish up a very good book, at the climax portion or otherwise very exciting portion, then the other takes over kids duty for the evening.

I do think that things will change back once my kids aren't so little, and getting legos unstuck doesn't constitute a meltdown-worthy crisis. I read when I can, and for now, that's really good enough. But it is why I never join the book reading goals. I could never reliably finish a book on time.

[pthermal]

I have an almost 2 year old and still read a ton. I read during his TV time (he watches one or two Mickeys each day, they are BFFs), I read when I put him to bed and I read when I get down time at work.

I would say I read just as much as I always have, it's just broken up.

[SpartanGirl]

I have 4 kids and I still read pretty regularly. I find that certain stages make it harder for me to read (I feel like I'm just getting back into it now that my youngest is over a year). I know during the newborn period it's hard for me to stay awake to read anything.

I read in spurts throughout the day, in the carpool lane, while waiting for the kids at their activities and after they go to bed.

I also think it's very important that my kids see me making reading a priority. I hope that they love to read as much as I do. Last summer my oldest daughter read 100 books on her own. This summer she wants to read 110. I think that is awesome. I read chapter books with my oldest 2 a lot, and some of the books, even though they are kid books, are really pretty good. It's also been fun to read some of my old favorites with them.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I just have one kid, but I read a lot. I suspect those people were never big readers.

I read during nap time, after DD is in bed (I always read in bed before I fall asleep), and sometimes when she's awake. If we're having a lazy day, I'll turn TV on for her while I read.

[LauraL444]

I used to read about two books a week, if not more (I'm a really fast reader). After having two kids in under two years, I still average about two a week, but it's usually at night or nap time. It's possible their kids don't let them read much...my SIL says my niece will get jealous of her book and try to take it out of her hands. My kids don't do that, but they do interrupt a lot so my reading is more of a night time thing.

[BookLover]

I have an energetic almost 5 year old and I can still knock out a book or two a week. I read during her quiet time, at night and just to escape, in the bathroom.

I have lost many books to the kid because she wants to "read" like mommy, but usually after I had finished it.

[Deleted]

Granted, I only have one kid and he sleeps all night and can play well independently, so its not that hard for me to squeeze reading time in. On the weekends, I can usually read for about a half hour in the morning while he eats breakfast and watches a show, I read on my lunch hour, after he is in bed, etc. I will admit that when he was a baby and younger toddler, it just didn't happen unless I did it on my break or lunch hour at work.

[mrshandy]

Sitting and reading all day long isn't really an option with a toddler. But you can still fit in reading at other times. I hope when DS is older, we can have a mix of family time and reading time for mommy while he entertains himself.

We have 22-month year old and DH and I work full time. I also run a lot, so that takes up a lot of time. I fit in reading during my commute, at night, and on the weekends sometimes during nap time.

We just went on vacation to Mexico without DS and one of things I was really looking forward to was just sitting and reading for hours poolside. It was awesome, I finished 2 books and started another one.

[rootbeerfloat]

I manage to read a lot, largely thanks to my Kindle. I admit that for awhile I devoted what little "me-time" I had to watching TV or sleeping. But now that they are are a little older (5 and 2.5), it's easier to find time. I read when they're playing, after they go to sleep, at work when it's slow or even in the car (while H is driving, of course).

I think if you're a reader, you find/make time to read whether or not you have kids.

[onwisconsin]

No kids here yet, but I'm SO glad to see peeps still find time to read! Also, I completely agree with the others who said reading in front of their kids is a great way to set a positive example in fostering the love of books!

[2curlydogs]

I have an 18 month old and I still read a ton. I listen to books on my commute. Then, in the evenings, I will read while H is giving him his bath, then I usually read in bed. Sometimes I also read in the evening after B has gone to bed while H watches tv.

I will admit I'm able to read more this year than I did during his 1st year because he's more independent, sleeping better, etc. But, yeah, I still managed to read 20 books last year (I've already surpassed that this year). So I'm going with they weren't real avid readers to start with.

FWIW, my son is also a huge book nut. It's a struggle in the mornings to get him dressed. He'd rather have me read all of his books to him.

[hopecounts]

I have a 21 month old and I read a lot. I listen to audiobooks while cleaning or knitting during nap time.
I read e-books after she goes to bed and when DH is spending time with her.
I don't get to read as much as before she was born but I still read plenty, I also have worked on implementing independent playtime so she plays by herself really well for 20-30 minutes (supervised) a couple times a day and I read then as well.

[alleycat]

I have a two year old and I average about 2 or 3 books a week

[anglashly]

I have an 18 month old and while I don't read as much as I used to I still read a ton. I read at work on my lunch break, during nap times, when she is playing with Daddy and before bed.

[mel726]

I have a one year old and I still read quite a bit, but most of my reading is done on the train during my commute to/from work. Sometimes I will read after she is asleep but normally I am too tired.