Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Reading in house

33 replies

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 12:34

I love reading. Prefer it to watching tv but if someone is watching tv in our house I have to go upstairs to read. Do any of you have areas to read in? We have a conservatory but it has our musical instruments and DH's computer and music equipment so no space in there. I just feel it today as DD is not well and has camped out watching Netflix in the sitting room so if I want to read I'll have to lie on my bed or sit on the window bench in my bedroom. DD has her own tv but DH said to give that a rest today and I don't want to kick her out of her own living room

OP posts:
PussBilledDuckyPlait · 15/04/2023 12:36

Could the person watching TV use headphones so you can both be in the room?

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 12:38

Sorry I'm probably going on a bit. Started my period today so probably being sensitive it's just I don't fancy watching kids tv all day lol

OP posts:
WandaWonder · 15/04/2023 12:38

I just read in the loungeriom or in bed, I tune tv out if at normal level

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 12:39

Headphones not a bad idea actually. I used to have some as when we lived in a smaller house DH used to play one of those talking to people computer games. I'll have to see where I put them.

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 12:40

@WandaWonder I find it impossible to drown it out and wish I could.

OP posts:
PussBilledDuckyPlait · 15/04/2023 12:41

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 12:39

Headphones not a bad idea actually. I used to have some as when we lived in a smaller house DH used to play one of those talking to people computer games. I'll have to see where I put them.

Yes, my DH often uses them if he's watching something loud - explosions, fighting and so on - so I can have some peace.

HospitalHelp · 15/04/2023 12:42

If someone’s watching tv in the lounge and I want to read in there then I wear ear plugs to drown out the sound of the tv, could be an option?

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 12:46

Earplugs a good shout. Thank you

OP posts:
Flyfodder · 15/04/2023 12:47

Is your DH at home? If not send your DD upstairs

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 15/04/2023 12:48

There is no way I can read when a tv is on - even with earplugs or the tv is on mute/ headphones. It always draws my attention. I find it hard to hold a conversation with the TV on, it is such a dominating force.

trulyunruly01 · 15/04/2023 12:54

You need a woman cave, preferably in the form of a little caravan at the end of the garden, plugged into the house electricity so you can boil a wee kettle or keep your wine cold. Maybe a little pot bellied stove installed, or a little log effect electric stove. Blankets, pillows.
Somewhere to retreat to, to read, journal, play car racing games on your laptop. Even sleep sometimes.
And a blimming great padlock on the door.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 13:54

trulyunruly01 · 15/04/2023 12:54

You need a woman cave, preferably in the form of a little caravan at the end of the garden, plugged into the house electricity so you can boil a wee kettle or keep your wine cold. Maybe a little pot bellied stove installed, or a little log effect electric stove. Blankets, pillows.
Somewhere to retreat to, to read, journal, play car racing games on your laptop. Even sleep sometimes.
And a blimming great padlock on the door.

This sounds amazing!

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 13:55

Flyfodder · 15/04/2023 12:47

Is your DH at home? If not send your DD upstairs

He's still in bed. Not well either. He said for her to give her tv a rest as it's on her desk and she sits on her chair right in front of it. Downstairs she's sat on the sofa further away

OP posts:
grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 15/04/2023 14:04

If you love reading, then it really doesn't matter what others are doing, tbh. I have a book right next to me, right by the computer while I'm typing. I carry my book around the house.
To the person like me, reading a book is as natural as breathing, you don't need the environment to suit reading. It can be done anywhere, and everywhere. I'd read while I'm cooking or boiling water to make a cup of tea. It's natural.

frozendaisy · 15/04/2023 14:07

Window bench in bedroom sounds ideal, or bed. Can you cushion up the bench, get a travel kettle up there?

Bettyboop3 · 15/04/2023 14:08

I totally feel your pain. I have found it harder as i get older tbh to drown out the tv so i can read. Our kids are now grown and gone so i have been extremely lucky in that my dh has turned one of our spare bedrooms into my very own woman cave 😁

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 14:34

@grapehyacinthisactuallyblue I'm very pleased for you. Unfortunately with some kinds of books this is not easy

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 14:35

Bettyboop3 · 15/04/2023 14:08

I totally feel your pain. I have found it harder as i get older tbh to drown out the tv so i can read. Our kids are now grown and gone so i have been extremely lucky in that my dh has turned one of our spare bedrooms into my very own woman cave 😁

Love this

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 14:35

@frozendaisy there are some cushions on it. I just feel like I'm banished to my room then lol

OP posts:
grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 15/04/2023 14:36

Unfortunately with some kinds of books this is not easy

What kind of books?

CorsicaDreaming · 15/04/2023 14:37

I sit in the greenhouse!!

Not possible mid winter or in a heatwave, but generally it's my favourite place to read...
Although I need a comfier chair.

TomatoSandwiches · 15/04/2023 14:44

I have a shed, tis fab, use it all year round.

TheChosenTwo · 15/04/2023 14:47

Can you just go and lie on your dds bed? I always go and lie on my bed to read! There’s always someone who will find me for a chat if I’m sat downstairs and I find certain telly too distracting to read alongside.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 15:02

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 15/04/2023 14:36

Unfortunately with some kinds of books this is not easy

What kind of books?

Books you have to follow

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/04/2023 15:03

TheChosenTwo · 15/04/2023 14:47

Can you just go and lie on your dds bed? I always go and lie on my bed to read! There’s always someone who will find me for a chat if I’m sat downstairs and I find certain telly too distracting to read alongside.

It's up a ladder! It feels risky 😁

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread