2yo has lost interest in bedtime stories

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

Until fairly recently 2.5yo DS enjoyed bedtime stories - generally wanting a favourite book or three read to him repeatedly.

In the last couple of momths he has all but completely lost interest in books being read to him - he sometimes likes to flick through books on his own but if I try to get involved I just get "No! My book!" and pushed away.

I feel that reading books together is important but it seems totally counterproductive to make this a battle.

Any tips for re-engaging him? Or it just a phase that I need to let him get through?

Can you read at another time of day? Maybe he would prefer non fiction. Perhaps go to the shop and let him choose a few new books.

Sing instead for a few weeks?
Pop-up books?
Let him tell the story to you?
Maybe he'll be given some new ones for Christmas that you can ask him to show you?

Ds went through a stage like that, lasted a couple of months, he just wanted to look at the book himself. So I just sat with him and talked about the pictures asked him to show me what was happening, what people and animals were doing which he seemed to enjoy. Also bought new books which he did want read. Eventually he went back to wanting the old ones top.

....too!!!

What Vanillaradio said. Also, let him hold 'his book' while you read another one? My 2yo usually settles for that.

Thanks for the tips. Glad others have had this phase!

It's clearly an independence thing - even singing songs he'll shout "No! I sing it!" at me!

New books, old books doesn't seem to make a difference.

Sometimes I try to talk about 'his' book (though he's often not keen), or I read another book out loud which sometimes gets his attention from 'his' book.

Really looking forward to this phase being over as it is frustrating and I miss the snugly bedtime books (though ask me again when I'm reading the same book for the 100th time!).