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Original poster

I'm struggling to write in my child's reading diary

112 replies

thecoperope · 16/04/2023 21:21

I just can't do it. I have some sort of mental block and it's really stressing me out.

I read with my child, they read alone, we go to the library and have a load of books. Reading is great ,writing is great, comprehension is great, and there are no concerns.

Except the reading diary. I just can't bring myself to take the diary out if the tables a mess, but before I can do the table I have to do the sides and then after the table I have to do the floor and put a wash on.

And if I take the book bag away from the door, it doesn't matter how hard I try I forget either the reading book or the diary, or the bag. I can't find a pen. I just get so stressed when the stupid diary is present. what do I write? Good reading? every time?

We usually read at bed time when we are all in bed. pens aren't allowed in the bedroom and book bags are at the front door. It's natural for us to read at bedtime or in the day when we are relaxing on the sofa. these aren't pen rooms. Reading books and pens don't mix! Just let us read! Why faff about?

Why do I find this easy thing so difficult? I'm retiring the reading diary.

OP posts:

Daisy20111 · 17/04/2023 12:37

I don't think your issue is the actual reading diary (which a lot of people are commenting/agreeing on - pointless/lack of time/forget) You have underlying issues regarding OCD that you need to get addressed. Hypnotherapy could help.

BlackeyedSusan · 17/04/2023 13:29

autism with PDA traits?

JumbledE · 17/04/2023 13:36

I’m a teacher and all I would expect is something written such as ‘read with Mum/Dad/Nana’ ‘Read to page 5’ ‘Shared reading’ - you’re maybe overthinking it, particularly if you’re already doing the reading in question :)

If you’re really struggling you could find some ‘I’ve read’ stickers online and get DC to stick them in the diary. All the teacher wants to know is that you’ve read :)

UWhatNow · 17/04/2023 13:44

I hated it too. The idea that a primary school teacher dictated what I should do in my busy-assed week when you’ve left school decades ago gave me the rage.

It was petty but I felt totally belligerent about it, especially when as a mum to several kids you are already fractious in an evening with working, housework, getting tea, extra curricular, bedtime routine etc It was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me.

Eventually though I had to get over myself because my kids were taking the flak. So I just got them to write in it and insisted they gave it to me with a pen so I could quickly sign a scribble. Job done.

BlackeyedSusan · 17/04/2023 13:47

I hated it too. The idea that a primary school teacher dictated what I should do in my busy-assed week when you’ve left school decades ago gave me the rage.

This resonates with me. Autistic!

Decafflatteplease · 17/04/2023 13:54

Ours has to be written in 3 times a week.

We do it at the weekend when we have homework time so all school stuff is out on the table anyway.

Once a week we read in the car while waiting for other DC to finish. Pens kept in car then diary out straight back into the bag.

Another day we wing it!

Can you keep pens together with the book in a plastic wallet. So if you read in bed then you just carry the wallet down with you rather than separate items?

Decafflatteplease · 17/04/2023 13:58

BHRK · 16/04/2023 21:35

I just write “we read to them and they read to us every day” across an entire week. It must be obvious to teachers which kids read. I hate this stupid chore

@BHRK this is genius 😂

EggBlanket · 17/04/2023 14:15

Pens aren’t allowed in the bedroom? That’s odd isn’t it? Are pencils also banned?

specspec · 17/04/2023 14:42

I have a daily alarm in for this sort of thing set for 5-10 mins before leaving before school and just write in the bare minimum and sign. Sometimes I cba and just sign.
I use alarms all day everyday as i have given up thinking my brain can even carry as much information as is required for dc plus school and work stuff !

It really helps as it reduces what I have ti remember as the phone is doing that. When it's something really important I have an alarm in the morning and then a little bit before the event, I can't tell you how much it's changed my life. Someone else recommended this to me.

bnotts · 17/04/2023 14:48

Put the reading diary next to your bed at the weekend. Then just make up the entries at any point over the 48 hours, they don't need to be that accurate.

BogRollBOGOF · 17/04/2023 15:59

I've given up on reading diaries now (upper end of juniors). My priority is that reading is a pleasurable experience for my dyslexic readers, and what they read to me is not what their brains process anyway. They're exposed to literature in some way or form most nights, and the chore of rummaging around for records and pens turns pleasure to a chore. As they've got older, their activities are later, dinner's later and I'm too knackered late in the day to play that game any more.

The point is that they enjoy literature, not writing read a page, "steady reading/ good intonation" hundreds and hundreds of times.

(ADHD may be in the equation, there is neurodiversity in the family)

Excited101 · 17/04/2023 16:10

You sound like me, I have ADHD

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