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Parenting

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Original poster

Only 3% of dads read to their children, and as for the mums...

50 replies

hunkermunker · 27/02/2009 13:32

9 out of 10 read to their children, but more than half admit to being distracted by CLEANING.

If that's you, what is wrong with you?!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

TheProvincialLady · 27/02/2009 14:19

Well I get distracted by cleaning. DS1 (2.6) would have me read to him during every waking moment and whilst I love doing it and do plenty - so does his dad - I also get on with the cleaning and limit the number of books so I can keep the house clean and he can play with his toys. Isn't that normal?

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 27/02/2009 14:20

DH read to both DD2 and DD3 (seperately) last night while I helped DD1 with her bastard maths homework. Does that make him extra-special?

Rhubarb · 27/02/2009 14:21

I read to dd every night before she goes to bed and dh reads to ds.

That's not including the stories we read to ds after school. dd is now 8 and reading by herself, but she still likes her bedtime story.

Both mine have been libary members since they were born. I adore books, I live by my books and I wanted to instill that same love of books in my kids.

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DaddyJ · 27/02/2009 14:22

Oh yes, MrsR!

I am a Dad as keen as can be,
is there room on this thread for a Dad like me?

So..where do these amusing stats come from?
No source, no comment!

sassy · 27/02/2009 14:23

By cleaning? REally?Oh yeah, I am frequently distracted from an enjoyable cuddle with the dc by wondering about dust.

FFs

CountessDracula · 27/02/2009 14:24

that sounds like crap to me
all the Dads I know seem to read to their dcs

Rhubarb · 27/02/2009 14:24

Yeah that's a point, where are those statistics from? A bit unfair on the dads, as per usual.

Itsjustafleshwound · 27/02/2009 14:25

Like others have said, my DH gets home way after bedtime so it is only durin the weekends he takes up the task...

Saying that, DH came home from work last night with a gift for the children - there was a special on Children's books at Waterstones, so hopefully, we can find a replacement for our Peppa Pig anthology ....

Original poster

hunkermunker · 27/02/2009 14:28

Stats from radio news.

Am not wedded to them - feel free to shoot 'em down

OP posts:

Original poster

hunkermunker · 27/02/2009 14:29

By daftpunk on Fri 27-Feb-09 14:09:08
no hunkermunker you didn't...but i kinda read your mind....

You flatter yourself, Daftpunk.

OP posts:

mrsruffallo · 27/02/2009 14:31

These stats are very dubious, aren't they?

Lol Daddy J

FAQinglovely · 27/02/2009 14:32

well I rarely read to my kids or do the cleaning - so where do I fit in

Original poster

hunkermunker · 27/02/2009 14:34

www.telegraph.co.uk/family/4839894/Three-quarters-of-parents-too-busy-to-read-bedtime-stories.html

Found what I imagine is the source of the news item I heard. And as I say, feel free to slate the stats, the whole shebang - am not putting them up as my own thoughts, not casting aspersions on anyone (except perhaps for anyone who thinks Vileda is a suitable thing to think about at any time) for the amount of time they read to their child, etc, etc.

OP posts:

Disenchanted3 · 27/02/2009 14:35

My DH puts kids to bed everynight and reads them at least 2 books

daftpunk · 27/02/2009 14:35

Hulababy · 27/02/2009 14:37

DD is 6 (7 in April) and we don't read every night anymore, due to other distractions - generally DD's social life and activities!!! But a few times a week she will sit down with me or DH and either read to us or we share a story.

Until a year ago we read every night.

DH isn't a huge fan of reading aloud, although he does lie books and reads a lot himself. Instead he would often chose to make stories up with DD at bedtime.

Hulababy · 27/02/2009 14:38

I am suprised the mum figure is so high having seen how little some of the children in my class (Y1 TA) read with their parents at night.

georgimama · 27/02/2009 14:38

Dh only reads to DS at weekends because he doesn't get home until after DS goes to bed during the week.

I read several stories to DS every night, usually two or three times.

I never get distracted from anything by cleaning.

mrsruffallo · 27/02/2009 14:41

I am, however, easily distracted from cleaning

Acinonyx · 27/02/2009 15:13

Both Dh and I are big readers but dh doesn't really like reading aloud whereas I do - so I do most of the reading with dd. She is insatiable so I have to set limits. It also (I like to think) makes up for me being so rubbish at really physical, active play - which dh does much better.

But cleaning

I'd rather read the phone book aloud than succumb to housework.

bytheLiffey · 27/02/2009 15:16

I read two different stories as dc1 nearly 7 and dc2 is 3. Every night. Quite tiring. I'm single mum and their dad is no use, so it's quite tiring to have to read both a story every night, but I do it. They demand it now, so I've no choice. But last night, dc1 read a charlie and lola book to dc2.!! that was so sweet. Maybe that can be her job from now on... in a short while.

PottyCock · 27/02/2009 15:30

I read about five stories a day to dd when I am at work and god knows how many when I am at home with her - she is OBSESSED!! Needless to say I have to do the housework in the evenings!

DaddyJ · 27/02/2009 22:05

Just read the article and now I want to see the questionnaire they used and how they found these 2000 parents.

Cannot believe only 3% of fathers read to their children.

They probably asked:
'Do you read to your children EVERY day of the week?'
Obviously not - I am away on business at times
so that's a No even from me and, hey presto, 3%!

Yurtgirl · 27/02/2009 22:08

Mine are 4 and 7 - we read together every evening, a picture book for dd and a chapter from a book for ds who is 7.

Im planning that we will continue to read together at some point in the day for years to come we all love it so much

Smithagain · 27/02/2009 22:13

Honestly? Sometimes it could be said that I'm distracted from reading to DD2 by housework. But she would happily have me read to her all day and all night and sometimes there are just other things that need doing. And sometimes I just can't face another romp through her current favourite tome.

But both DH and I read stories every night before bed - we swap DDs each night, so they both get a bit of one to one time.

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