13 year old DS doesn't enjoy reading

[Ebba84]

I wanted to put this out there and hear from other parents whose kids don’t enjoy or don’t want to read.

My 13 year old DS is simply not interested in reading. He can read perfectly well, but he categorically refuses to read anything other than the things he has to read for his homework and finds any excuse not having to read. I just don’t understand it and I’m worried that it may affect his future work in school.

It is something that we have mentioned during parents’ evenings at school. His teachers and tutors don’t seem to be worried since his schoolwork is always in order and he is not behind on any of his work. He is in the top set in his year, which seems to confirm what they tell us.

We have tried everything so far. We have tried to get him interested in different kinds of fiction, non-fiction, magazines, reference books. We even went as far as buying him a kindle to read things on since he likes his technology, but that didn’t make any difference. The only books he cares to read are Harry Potter, but that is because he likes the movies.

He doesn’t have a games console and doesn’t play online games so that doesn’t take up any of his time. He does like science and history and loves to do his maths and often makes his own maths puzzles, but again, he doesn’t like reading books on those subjects.

As an avid reader I love to sit down with a book or magazine and just read things so maybe that is why I find it a bit odd.

Am I just worrying myself for no reason?

Some people don’t enjoy reading. I don’t enjoy reading unless it’s a book I can really connect to.
I wouldn’t worry, he might sometime find a book he connects to and really wants to read

Some people just don't like reading for pleasure, my brother is one of them. But he does enjoy sport, which I don't. I just see it as another hobby. Obviously they need to keep up with school work, but otherwise forcing someone to read when they aren't interested will only push them further away from it.

People enjoy different things shocker?
I love reading but can understand that others may not.
I buy my younger children books and they read sometimes but I wouldn't be pushing it on a 13 year old.

Dd didn't for years, then started reading the odd thing and now, age 18 really enjoys it, her and her boyfriend like reading to each other too.
It didn't bother me when she didn't though, I knew she could and that was enough.

I absolutely hate reading.. Tried reading a novel in the past, by the time I get to page 10 I can't even remember what happened in the 1st few pages. Some people just don't like reading, their brains can't comprehend it or they lack imagination.

Mine is 14 and doesn't read either. I only worry because English is not a strong subject for him and I feel it would help him with spelling and vocabulary.

I continue to buy him things to read but I don't push it.

I am a big reader but neither DH or older DD are so I'm not totally surprised.

I was talking to a colleague recently and her DS was the same at that age, still not a book reader but works in research so reads a lot for his job and his non reading teen years have not held him back!

My brother was like this as a child but recently has discovered a love of reading.

I think if he has a range of reading options and isn't falling behind with school work I wouldn't worry.

Everyone is different. Currently my ds1 will only ready animé and my ds2 is turning into a bookworm and keeps reading long past his bedtime (which secretary I love)

Lord of the flies got me reading. Has he tried that?

It was Lord of the rings that got mine reading, maybe it's something to do with Lord?

If it’s not affecting his schoolwork it doesn’t matter, so stop worrying. My dd stopped reading anything for pleasure at 13 and her English. Her English is very good. She does read fan fiction and loves plays, films and musicals, so gets some language that way. Take him to see some films and the odd play.

“My dear Lady Kroesig, I have only read one book in my life, and that is ‘White Fang.’ It’s so frightfully good I’ve never bothered to read another.”

― Nancy Mitford, The Pursuit of Lovee*

Some people like reading, some don't. I wouldn't worry about it .

As long as his schoolwork is in order, it's fine. Reading as a hobby isn't for everyone.

He must really like the HP films if they encouraged him to read - I’d be looking for great films or TV series that are adapted from books, and then casually leaving the books around.

Thanks all for the feedback, good to see that it isn't unusual for kids not wanting to read. It has put my mind a bit at ease.

I might try some of the suggestions of getting more books that were made into films.

My DH was like this at school but loves reading now

Seconding go for books after favourite films if he likes HP. The mazerunner and hunger games could be a good shout, my 13yo liked those

I went through this phase at this age. I used to love reading but when I went to secondary school they insisted on mixed ability classes for English and the slower pace of the lessons put me off books for a while.

I love reading again now. If he is keeping up with his schoolwork I wouldn't worry too much.

Factual comic book? Like this www.amazon.co.uk/Cartoon-Guide-Calculus/dp/0061689092/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_4?psc=1&pf_rd_p=ae289644-4811-4c81-ab14-ea5d2b3a4c7d&_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_wg=vFaEG&pf_rd_r=BJAX1P5ADD407E6NZGJP&pd_rd_i=0061689092&pd_rd_w=slW1O&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&refRID=GRM3MV4VQ0PR4BN2RGH9&pd_rd_r=eff170d4-d9d1-4e99-8a3f-65300d86f385

Don't worry about it. Reading isn't for everyone. As long as he's doing enough for schoolwork and doing fine in lessons, I shouldn't worry.

My dd was just the same.

She ended up with 18 GCSEs, 4 a levels and a masters in maths. She's now a secondary school teacher.

She still won't read unless she has to.

My sister is 26 and is yet to read an entire book. She hates reading since she was a child. Finds it boring and unnecessary. Me, I read a book a week. Love reading. Everyone is different, I wouldn't worry that he hates reading. It's just something he doesn't like.

I have 2 sons ....one an avid reader loved being read to and read book after book. The other just wasn’t interested. I know how important reading is in developing language and improving writing so I was concerned at his disinterest. He loved football so I tried to introduce literature about football...an article in magazine or paper. I the went on amazon looking for football related books. Found a series about football academies...bought one and he was hooked .....finished his first one in 2 days. Bought more from the series. Once he’d enjoyed reading those it was easier to get him to read other things. He’s still a “reluctant” reader and has probably regressed a fair bit again but he’s in the middle of his mocks and his idea of downtime is not reading a book😩. I suppose every child is different and you can only try and find an interest to spark his desire to read.

Hi OP, my DSis was like this as a kid. A perfectly competent and capable reader, but just not interested. She never read for pleasure, unlike me, who always had my head in a book.

It didn't hold her back in the slightest. She studied at Cambridge and has had a really successful career. She still doesn't read for pleasure though she does always have intentions to do so.

People are different in terms of what they like and dislike. It's fine. Don't force the issue.

Ds1 is 15 and hates reading
The only books he has read for pleasure in his life are the Hunger Games. He listens to audio books and likes me to read aloud to him.
His dad was the same. As is my dad and both my brothers.

Ds2 and I on the other hand can do a book in a day and would rather re read something than have nothing to read.

Or maybe percy jackson books.