Can any teachers/TAs advise re reading record please?

[PatterofaMinion]

I hope this doesn't sound really arrogant or anything, because that's the last thing I want to be, but I am looking for a way around the problem and thought I'd try here.

We've just changed primary schools, ds is in Y3 and is a very good reader - I don't know how as we haven't done much of it but he just knows how and is pretty much able to read anything, quickly and with appropriate emphasis etc. I have an older ds who is nowhere near as quick so I'm not showing off.

We've got through his book last week in one go, that's a 50 page book, and he read it out loud to me. I wrote in his book and thought that was fine, we'd do it at the weekend as I have a bit more time then.

I got a bit of a terse note in his reading record saying that I am supposed to sign it every night pretty much, but we don't have time to read together every night - I'm a single parent with three boys and one is a toddler and you know how that can be. Ds2 is also very tired at night and I don't want to force it at this point as that will just create resentment. I enjoy doing it with him once a week, but every night is going to be difficult.

Is there a way round this or am I going to get a big red mark in his homework folder every time we can't do it (and a reputation as a bad mum) - I like and support the school but he can already read fluently, and I don't think he needs to be reading to me every night. I have to prioritise - there are other things he needs help with too.

How should I approach this and is there in fact something I'm missing about why this matters so much?

Thank you if you made it this far.

[PatterofaMinion]

We never got chased about it at the last school either, tbh. I think they knew I was struggling to find time for everything. Point is though, he can read already so I feel I'm being tasked with something a little bit over zealous. I could understand better if he really wasn't finding it easy and needed more support.

[INickedAName]

I've had a few of these notes in dds diary too, I hate the way they address the note to dd but when it's actually meant for me. I've had "did you read to mum last night?" Or "did you forget to ask to mum to sign your book?" Followed by sad face.

First time I wrote "no, she read to dad," and the second time I wrote "no she didn't forget, I just didn't sign it as I couldn't find pen, don't be sad"
Dd reads to herself at home every day, (they have to do seven times a week) something of her choosing, and only three times over her whole school life (y5 now) I haven't signed, and of those two I got red pen passive aggressive notes by the parent helper. Class teacher has told me it's fine to miss a few times, but I've told dd if I ever forget she can sign for me, she does my signature better than me!

[INickedAName]

Meant to say I usually sign it on a morning as we are rushing out the door, I used to write about how she read, but thinking of different shit to put got boring so I just sign now unless I'm responding to red pen notes :)