To be feeling bad I’m not reading to my two year old?

30 replies

badgerandthefox · 19/04/2026 19:14

My two year old has started refusing books and stories. We have loads at home, I mean literally so many - all the classics like the Julia Donaldson ones and Tiger Who Came to Tea etc as well as lots of newer ones but she just won’t let me!

I did manage to look at a book with her today but I wasn’t reading, she was just looking at the pictures.

It makes me feel guilty and like I’m not doing my ‘job’ as a mum very well!

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Original poster

badgerandthefox · 19/04/2026 19:22

She’s too smart for that trick - she knows what I’m trying to do! We did look at a book today but she wouldn’t let me read the text; we just talked about the pictures so that’s progress of sorts but we have so many lovely books!

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EskSmith · 19/04/2026 19:21

This is going to sound a bit crazy but try just sitting reading a picture book yourself. That toddler urge to get into everything you are doing may just help you here!

ItsABarbecueShowdown · 19/04/2026 19:20

Just start reading them silently to yourself and see if she comes over and gets involved. If she does, subtly try to draw her in. ‘Look at Sophie’s tights, l like those.’ ‘I can’t believe he’s drinking straight from the teapot!’ and see what happens.

At bedtime I’d just say ‘would you like me to read a story with you’ and if she says no just say ‘goodnight’ and leave.

Surroundedbyfools · 19/04/2026 19:18

Tbh I wouldn’t really stress too much ! My youngest is two and I’d love to read to him but unfortunately he is beyond wild and snatches books right off me and has ripped pages out etc. yeah it would be nice but it’s not the be all and end all. Ur not a bad mum, bad mums don’t give a fuck if their bad mums

Carryitjoyfully · 19/04/2026 19:15

Perhaps you could let her look at the pictures and talk to you about what she sees and thinks.

books are too important to let slide.

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