How do we, as moms, find time to read more? The never-ending mountain of laundry, countless errands, and preparing meals that the kids will inevitably refuse to eat. It never stops. I read all the time before daily life…took over my life.
I grew up in a reading house. My parents would spend an entire weekend engrossed in books. I credit this constant picture of my parents reading for instilling my love of books. I want my kids to love books too. And I know seeing me read will encourage them. Plus, I missed it! I got focused and can now say my robust reading habit is back! Here is what I did. And make sure to read to the end to get my list of favorite books!
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Audiobooks
Audiobooks were life-changing for my reading habit. Life-changing, I tell you! Did you know you can listen to an audiobook while doing the dishes, cleaning the bathrooms, or rocking your baby to sleep? You can!
Audiobooks are available on several platforms. Some are free, while others have varying costs.
- Audible – Up to $22.95/month
- Scribd – $11.99/month
- Chirp Books – purchase individual audiobooks at a discounted rate
- Hoopla – uses your local library’s catalog
- Libby – uses your local library’s catalog
Because I love audiobooks, I always carry my AirPods in my pocket. And having to opportunity to listen to a book while doing an otherwise dull chore will motivate me to do the task. Furthermore, I prefer to listen to audiobooks at an increased speed, so I read more books this way.
Keep a Book With You
There are many times we unexpectedly have some downtime, whether it’s the carpool line, waiting room, or having to stay in your car because the baby fell asleep and never transfers well (I can’t count the number of times I had to do this!).
Instead of scrolling social media, open up a book! It seems like such an apparent hack, but remembering to bring a book with you in the first place is the trick. So, the first step is setting a goal to keep a book within reach throughout the day. That could be as simple as tossing a book into your purse or diaper bag.
Read in the Morning
Morning is often when kids are the happiest. They will often entertain themselves the best at the beginning of the day. So, instead of checking the news or listening to music in the morning, pull out your book and take advantage of this opportunity.
You can even teach your children to stay in their room until a specific time each morning. Our kids can’t come downstairs until 6:30 am. That still seems early, but they have always been up with the sun (or before!).
Having 30 minutes to yourself first thing in the morning is also an excellent self-care opportunity. Imagine drinking your coffee hot without reheating it!
Read on Your Terms
You get to decide what your reading habit looks like. Never feel the need to compare yourself to others. Reading one book a month (or less) is fantastic. There is no pressure or race to win. It’s supposed to be fun!
Additionally, structure your reading habit to be the most enjoyable for you. Maybe that’s reading using a Kindle or having a supply of adorable bookmarksPerhapsbe it’s lighting a candle and setting the tone of your environment.
And don’t be afraid to DNF (Did Not Finish) a book. If a book is not holding your attention or you’re not enjoying it move on. Life’s too short to read bland or underwhelming books. Keep a TBR (To Be Read) list going so you always have something to move on to.
There you have it! All the ways you can find time to read more. Please share this with your friends, and I’ve listed some of my favorite books below to get your TBR started.
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
- People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry
- On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass
- Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber
- The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I love this!! I am not a mom yet, but I still feel the pain of having little time to read in my busy schedule! I, too, have found audiobooks to be a life saver, but I love your other tips too!!
reading is something I find easy to find time for.. but mostly me sleep will suffer 🙂 so these were very good ideas. thank you
Great great, I love the idea of telling your kids to wait until 6:30 am to come downstairs. I also listen to audiobooks too when I’m driving.
I have always treasured my reading time. I use to read when my son would go down for a nap in the afternoon or when we were at the park and he played with the other kids. The audiobook idea is a great one…I never did try that.
Oh that’s such a great topic… I LOVE reading… and it is hard to find time when you’re a mom but it’s not impossible. Thanks for the post!
oh I miss this as a mom! Thank you. am going to try the early morning read!
I spent many hours in the middle of the night, reading. Daddy was home and in bed with our son. Mommy got her time in exchange for sleep. All was well 🙂 I also am known to take 1-2 books with me on even a short trip somewhere.
These are great tips…especially about keeping a book with you. That would be such an easy way to squeeze in more time to read instead of reaching for your phone. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this useful post! I also find it difficult to read with a child. My daughter is super talkative and it’s very challenging to set a time to concentrate and read. My only chances are when she is asleep.
This was definitely written for me!!! I used to be a complete bookworm! Now I don’t even read on vacation laying by a pool! I needed these suggestions so thank you
Thanks for sharing, I actually have made it a habit to read for 20-30 minutes before bed. I also love audible and use it for my commute or when I am walking my pup.
The way you eloquently describe the transformative power of books and their ability to transport us to different worlds is truly enchanting. Your words are a reminder that reading is not just a hobby but a form of self-care and soul enrichment.
Thank you for igniting our passion for reading and reminding us to prioritize the joy of getting lost in a book. Your article is a beautiful ode to the magic that unfolds when we allow ourselves the time to read.