They have stopped reading books

[Thesunisshining888]

My teen dons (aged 15 and 13) have stopped reading books. I am so gutted. They stopped during covid when they were doing homeschooling and they haven’t started again.
I have tried so many times, showing that I read books as well but nothing. I am so gutted.
what can I do to convince them to read?

Have you tried limiting screen time?

That’s what I am hoping. Booktok is cool (I hear. Actually not even sure it’s called that because I am old).

I noticed vampire books in the best sellers last week so tik tok is having an influence.

@LusaBatoosa ok - I didn't know that..But then again those subjects are that boys choice. He didn't have to choose those.
If he doesn't enjoy the reading then tbh he is doing the wrong subjects.
Why choose to study something you don't enjoy? (post 16 obviously - you don't get a lot of choice earlier in education)

‘Not’ novels, this was meant to say. 🫤

I can’t answer those questions. 😊

@LusaBatoosa well yes... you're not that particular boys parent 🙂

I offered them 10 dollars per book, but they were much more interested in not having to load the dishwasher or take out the rubbish for a week instead. So I think I only ended up paying for 2 books in cash and the rest were ‘benefits in kind’! It did focus their minds in how important I felt being well read was as I positioned it as wanting them to have experienced reading from lots of genres rather than just start reading again. I chose shorter books that had rave reviews from young adult audiences.

My DS only ever read one fiction book from cover to cover - he’s dyslexic - when he was 14. He’s now mid forties, a well educated, well rounded person, in a respected and well-paying profession.
Reading isn’t the be-all all and end-all. I read endlessly when I was a child and in my teens - there was little else to do - some of it was worthwhile, but some of it gave me a few pretty dodgy ideas that actively worked against me in my future life.

I used to have a subscription to First News for my DC and they barely read them. I would have devoured them as a child. I used to love going to the newsagent to get Jackie, Just17 & Smash Hits then when older More magazine.

I wish I could find something my teenage son would like to read. Hd loves his phone, so some reading content but more visual stimulus. I can’t recall ever walking in and finding him reading by choice. It seems to take him forever to finish books he’s reading at bedtime. I know not everyone is the same but I think reading can really help give insight into other people’s lives / motivations/emotions.

My other DC reads less as she’s got older but still loses herself in a book some days.

I always had my head in a book as a child but now I don't bother tbh. Probably haven't picked up a book since Christmas

It's fine - please don't pressure them or make them feel bad.