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Original poster

Book Addiction!!!

15 replies

antinut · 24/05/2002 19:44

My 8 year old son LOVES reading and I often find him reading till 10pm. Should I encourage or discourage his late night reading( it's his favourite time to read, in bed, snuggled up!).
Thanks for your help

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 24/05/2002 19:50

antinut, I was the same at his age. If he doesn't seem tired the next day then I'd say let him do it and how wonderful that he enjoys it so much. My mum used to tell me as a child that I'd never be alone if I had a book with me and she was right I think. If he seems tired the next day perhaps you could agree that he goes to bed earlier to start reading and to sleep a bit earlier too?

ScummyMummy · 24/05/2002 20:40

Oh antinut, this sounds like every parent's (especially of boys) dream! I'd agree with WWW- let him go for it as long as he's not a ratbag through tiredness the next day. And- at the risk of sounding like an old granny- make sure he's got a good source of light so he doesn't ruin his wee eyes!

threeangels · 24/05/2002 22:29

Even though hes loves to read he still needs his sleep. If you feel his grades are good and hes not fussy in the morning go ahead and let him read. It all depends on what you want as his time for bed. My son is 12 and goes to the library every 2-3 weeks and checks out max number of books 30-35 and he reads everyone in about 2 weeks and sometimes still needs more. He lives for reading and is a straight A student. I always encourage my kids to read. You can never read too much. During this summer I will be encouraging my dd to read at least one hour (breaking it up in the day) a day. She enjoys reading too. This will help them for next year. I think thats wonderful that a child his age reads like that especially when you find him alone doing it on his own. I would keep at it but like I had said if you think its not interfering with his daily routine the next day keep encouraging it.

Bozza · 25/05/2002 23:14

I was like this too has a child. I remember reading with a cardigan over the lamp to dim it so my parents wouldn't realise and the cardigan caught fire.... I echo what the others had said - its the best way to learn.

May have the same issue with my 15 month old DS. He will go into his room empty the books from bookcase and sit on the floor sifting throught them for half an hour. Won't watch TV at all and would not be occupied with toys for more than 5 minutes.

SimonHoward · 27/05/2002 21:45

It is so nice to hear that other people and their children are like this. I spent most of my childhood with my nose stuck in a book and still do even now (dw and dd permitting).

Both dw and I have already decided to start getting a library of childrens books together for dd and child No2 (still in the planning stage) so that they can have a wide selection of books.

One question I would ask is are their any well recommended books or series that are suitable for all preschool ages? I intend to get the Mr Men and Little Miss books along with as many Dr Seuss as I can find as I was brought up on these but am a bit at a loss for any newer ones.

I'm just hoping dd likes books as much as I do and doesn't take after dw who finds reading totally boring and a real struggle.

Also has anyone had to tell their children not to destroy books? I ask this as I have about 1500 novels in my own collection and would rather find ways of not having them coloured in or ripped up by little one as I have seen some parents do.

sobernow · 27/05/2002 22:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MandyD · 27/05/2002 22:10

My son (now 3) has had his own "book box" ever since he was able to crawl over to it! As for not destroying books, he's very good. The first book he had that was printed on paper rather than board (at around 10 months) did get mutilated, but I used that as a teaching aid - every time he tore it - mainly accidentally - I would make a big deal of having to get the sellotape and mend it, then he went through a phase of tearing it on purpose so there was less and less book left and then it had to be thrown away. He did not damage any other books during that time or after though.

As for drawing on books, he hasn't done that because every time he reached for a pen I would provide drawing paper and tell him that was the only thing to draw on until the message got drummed in. Also he knows not to touch "mummy's books" or "daddy's books".

SofiaAmes · 27/05/2002 22:45

My son (18 mo.) loves books. It's one of the few things he will sit still for. The tv rarely interests him (although I make a point of never putting kid's shows on). His favorites are Rod Campbell's Dear Zoo and My Presents, Dr.Seuss's ABC, Mother Goose (i found a board book version in the usa) and Curious George. We read to him every night before bed. I was addicted to reading as a child (under the covers every night with a flashlight) and have fond memories of my father reading to the family every night after dinner until I went off to university.

sapphire · 10/08/2002 15:50

Simon...I got my children most of the Mr Men books because I remembered how much I enjoyed them. It's only now, as an adult, that I've realised just how grammatically incorrect they are, and the story endings leave a lot to be desired! Still doesn't stop me having to read Mr Quiet to ds several times a day though One excellent author to look out for is Tony Ross, his "I want my potty!" and other books are big favourites in our house ... and not just with the kids!

PamT · 10/08/2002 16:08

The Book People do some really good offers on childrens classics. They have done hardback boxed sets of the Narnia and Harry Potter books for £20 each, though these are for older readers. I bought the Naughty Little Sister and Olga da Polga books because I wanted to relive my early reading years.

aloha · 10/08/2002 20:30

I'm currently reading the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper. They are spooky adventure stories for children of about 10, but had me so gripped up I stayed up to read it in one go! I recently read Marianne Dreams by Catherine Storr and loved it too. Recommend them highly for pre-teens.

musica · 10/08/2002 20:33

Wow!!! I had forgotten about 'The Dark is Rising' but I remember reading it in 4th year juniors (age 9-10) and getting SO into it - definitely a must read!

candy · 10/08/2002 21:38

What a coincidence - i am just reading "The Dark Is Rising" series - I'm on the fourth now and thoroughly enjoying them - well recommended

XAusted · 11/08/2002 21:12

Sorry, antinut, there is no cure for book addiction. When I was a child I would read until the small hours. Even now, I cannot get my nose out of a book for long. I read compulsively, if there's no book nearby, I read nutrional information on cereal packets or instructions on bottles of shampoo ... The good side to this addiction is that I'm ace at spelling, grammar (except on message boards ...), letter writing, etc. It's unusual for boys to love reading so encourage it.

I read The Dark is Rising at school, it was set by the teacher and it was dead good.

Azzie · 12/08/2002 15:48

XAusted, agree with you about book addiction being incurable . About the only pleasure in the business trips I go on every 4-6 weeks is that I get to buy 2 or 3 new books and read them uninterrupted on the plane and in my hotel room (no kids to disturb me ). This is utter bliss (my colleagues who have grown up kids think I'm slightly potty because I'd rather sit in a quiet bar with a beer and a book than go clubbing).

I always thought The Dark is Rising was pretty ace - think I'll have to read it again now.

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