To cringe at this guardian article about children and books

[MyopiaUtopia]

Surely I can't be the only person to think this is one of the most humblebraggy self-congratulatory and smug articles ever?!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/books/2020/mar/01/how-to-raise-a-little-bookworm-in-the-age-of-smartphones-and-tablets

[MyopiaUtopia]

"In small shops, she often quietly tucks herself away in a corner to read – and then, when I call her to leave the shop with me, the assistants will intervene and beg me not to disturb her further. “Look at her, she’s reading,” they’ll whisper to me, in a tone of wonder, as if I did not have eyes"

[user1487194234]

I read this and thought ODFOD
I am a big fan of the Guardian but most days there is something that makes me think that

[QuixoticQuokka]

Screens and books are not mutually exclusive . My teen has multiple web novels (serials) on the go at once.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

Clicky link

Tbh even that one quote made me cringe.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

"Tone of wonder" ffs.

[OwlinaTree]

The description is a bit ott, but her advice at the bottom is good. I also like how she stresses the importance of reading to your child, making it enjoyable for you both. Also she didn't push her child to read before starting school, she continued to share stories with her first.

[Youngatheart00]

The Guardian. Home of the liberal elite, and the humblebrag.

[Lordfrontpaw]

We know the child is actually probably sitting there, filling her nappy and chewing the book.

[Thelaughinggnome123]

I don't think she should be that smug, how antisocial reading in a restaurant rather than joining in the conversation. That's not something I'd be boasting about.

[BacklashStarts]

“the assistants will intervene and beg me not to disturb her further. “Look at her, she’s reading,” they’ll whisper to me, in a tone of wonder” The fuck they do. The. Fuck.

Nobody wants far fetched fiction, Donna.

[implantsandaDyson]

Oh for the love of all that's holy - that's some wanky self congratulatory twaddle right there. I had a read every spare second of every day 8 year old too she's still an avid reader at 12, I would have given her short shrift if she was being so careless as to bump into fecking street lamps.

[SconNotScone]

Wow. I think I just cringed myself inside out.

[mauvaisereputation]

Hmm my daughter is much younger but I find this article inspiring. It's well established that screens stop you reading so much. Stuff like facebook, instagram and - yup - AIBU is a massive timesuck.

[OwlinaTree]

Lol I used to read everywhere and get told of all the time!

[QuixoticQuokka]

It's well established that screens stop you reading so much.
You know you can read on a screen? DS was the 10 year old with the two inch thick fantasy novel. Now he might just look like a teen on a tablet but he's still reading .

[Finallyatooth]

I half agree, half don't agree with this article.

I think it's great to get children reading. My own son loves reading, partly because we made the effort to read to him and he is now exceeding the level for reading at school that he needs to be at.

It does seem to be rarer to see children reading in public, and I've had a few comments off strangers when they've seen my son reading when we've been on a train for example.

At the same time I really dislike this 'screens bad/books good' stance that people are taking these days.

My son had access to an ipad from a young age and I found it helpful and useful. Firstly, it gave me a break from time to time when I needed to get something done. Secondly, it helped me to learn about him and his interests. When he was allowed to pick from a selection of child friendly videos he chose things that were maths related and on other subjects that I probably wouldn't have picked for him. That in turn helped me to give him opportunities to explore his interests that I wouldn't have thought of. Another plus side is that he's pretty good at using a computer now which is a vital skill for the modern world.

Not all books are holy or improving, some kids books are complete shite. He likes some books that are utter dross, I don't see how they are any better for him then a dross cartoon on the TV. Similarly there are some brilliant TV programmes and content online.

[FunnysInLaJardin]

well isn't she self satisfied, all down to her fab parenting without a doubt

I was an avid reader and did all of that as a parent, however my boys were not so keen.

I just hope she has a second child who proves its not her parenting, but the child who fostered the love of reading.

Incidentally I have a good friend who did similar and 3 out of 4 of her DC read avidly, the fourth not so much.

Depends on the child before you give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back.

[Dinosforall]

I probably wouldn't write an article about it but I am stupidly delighted that DS1 shows every sign of being the bookworm that I was as a child. However, he also loves a bit of screen time.

[Robuns]

I used to be the same as Flora, my parents didn't do anything differently between me and my siblings, but they hated reading. I think some things can help foster a love of reading, but some children just enjoy it in my opinion. Balance is also healthy, having your head in a book all of the time isn't particularly balanced.

[MsTSwift]

Ooh op I skim read that and thought exactly the same. Just wait til she hits 14 and gets a phone 🙄 won’t be so smug then. Mine both avid readers but am not a knob so keep quiet about it. News flash no one else except perhaps granny is the slightest bit interested

[GCAcademic]

The entire Guardian is a cringe fest, it’s become a parody of itself. The proportion of insufferable, self-satisfied posho columnists to actual journalists is a joke. It’s a symbol of everything that has gone wrong with the political Left in this country.

[ivfbabymomma1]

@backlashstarts

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Doggybiccys]

“To inspire her, I loaded up an old smartphone with audiobooks of classics “

So her kid has a smartphone for inspiration!!. Whose to say the other kids “glued to their phones” are not reading stories?

Smug bollocks

[Doggybiccys]

And interesting username given the context of the post

[FunnysInLaJardin]

GCA I have to agree. I have been a life long Guardian reader as were my parent, but my god its so smug these days.

I live in the Channel Islands and they stopped selling here years ago as they didn't sell enough papers. I laugh in the face of their online pleas to support them with a subscription as if they CBA with their readership here then I CBA with them. Plus they hate us tax dodgers

I do of course read it online everyday however!