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Original poster

Mums : How do you find time to read?

54 replies

yellowmoosefever · 04/01/2023 12:04

That's the question :) I try and find time when the kids have gone to bed. When do you read? How do you fit it in? I love books and I'm on my second read in two weeks.

OP posts:
yoshiblue · 04/01/2023 12:09

I've cut out tv TBH. Most stuff on tv is rubbish in my opinion and there is only so much news I can watch!

SebastiansLeg · 04/01/2023 12:17

Audio books so I can multi-task.

Kanaloa · 04/01/2023 12:19

I read while my kids are there to be honest. I always have - I think it’s crazy that people think they need to sit right with their kids all the time, watching the same telly, sitting over them as they play etc. I think it’s not a bad thing for my kids to see me reading or relaxing and enjoying myself as well. I don’t want them to think of me as just mum washing dishes, mum hoovering, mum cooking, mum doing laundry. It’s normal for them to see me also doing things I enjoy.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 04/01/2023 12:20

In the bath. I usually go for a soak once the kids are in bed and read a couple of chapters.

I could do more.

RewildingAmbridge · 04/01/2023 12:22

I work full time, DS goes to bed at 6:30/7 so I don't read when he's around as I've things to do, and I've not seen him all day.
I read before bed, in the bath etc, definitely choose it over watching TV in the evenings, a lot of the time.

Panda89 · 04/01/2023 13:04

I read whilst my daughter is around, she is 6 so is usually playing/crafting on her own anyway!
I only really watch sports and they don't require huge amounts of attention so will read whilst the TV is on. Then also read in bed until midnight ish.
I will also read a few chapters on my lunch break. I WFH now but when I used to commute to work on the train I would get through so many books!

MerlinsButler · 04/01/2023 13:31

Kanaloa · 04/01/2023 12:19

I read while my kids are there to be honest. I always have - I think it’s crazy that people think they need to sit right with their kids all the time, watching the same telly, sitting over them as they play etc. I think it’s not a bad thing for my kids to see me reading or relaxing and enjoying myself as well. I don’t want them to think of me as just mum washing dishes, mum hoovering, mum cooking, mum doing laundry. It’s normal for them to see me also doing things I enjoy.

This is such a good point.

When I was little and my Gran was looking after me our days out would involve a trip to the library. She always had a Mills and Boon on the go and to be honest this is what started my love of reading and I think it's really important for kids to see adults reading. It makes it less of a school thing and more of an enjoyable thing. Best gift you can give a child is a love of reading.

emmaw1405 · 04/01/2023 14:48

I work full time and have five children but managed 86 books last year. I've got two left at primary school and we have a 10 minute fast walk to the bus stop so I read on the bus, on the walk (without the kids), slope off to the library at least once a week for an hours read, on the bus to work once a week, on the loo, while I iron and read every night in bed. Anywhere I walk I've got a book or Kindle on the go! I don't watch a lot of television, I'd rather read. Though I did manage two films over Christmas!

JaninaDuszejko · 04/01/2023 15:00

I work FT and have 3DC. It depends what stage they are at. I read a lot while BFing when they were small. Now I read every night before bed and at lunchtime at work. I probably don't watch as much TV as other people and I definitely don't sleep much!

BigMadAdrian · 04/01/2023 18:30

I read in bed - for longer than I should most evenings. I could be reading now, as dc are watching tv, but I'm on mumsnet...

23mum · 04/01/2023 18:31

I don't

LoveYouHoneybear · 04/01/2023 18:31

@Kanaloa I love that. May I ask how old your kids are? Just so I may have something to look forward to!

TrippinEdBalls · 04/01/2023 18:32

I read for about an hour a day. I know a lot of women who are amazed I find the time - I work nearly full-time and have a four and two year old - but they all seem to watch a lot more tv than me, and I think I watch plenty!

Sierra259 · 04/01/2023 18:37

I read on my commute to work, right before bed and sometimes while the kids are having their screen time if my other bits are done.

Original poster
yellowmoosefever · 04/01/2023 20:13

Lovely to read through everyone's responses.
I agree some of this has to do with what stage the kids are at. I have a 6 year old (who loves to read) and a one year old. Impossible to read with the second but very much possible with the older one. It's our favourite activity together! I should get back to my book now that everyone is asleep!

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 04/01/2023 20:18

I read when my dd is occupying herself or in bed. I don't watch much tv.

Soproudoflionesses · 04/01/2023 20:22

I have always read with my dd who is now 11, ever since she was a tiny baby.
But l can't honestly say she seems to enjoy it even though her reading age is much older.
So when shengoes to bed l sit and read my book at the same time - encourages her to read and means l make the time to do it.

LBOCS2 · 04/01/2023 20:23

I don't watch much tv. When they were tiny and had marathon BF sessions it was easy to read a lot; a bit harder when they were in the needier ages (i.e before school age!) and now they're 10 and 6 and absolutely fine left to their own devices while I read my book.

I say book. Kindle. I got given an actual REAL LIFE book for Christmas and DD1 commented that she didn't think she'd ever seen me reading a proper book.

shallwegoandgetthecats · 04/01/2023 20:33

I read while my kids are there to be honest. I always have - I think it’s crazy that people think they need to sit right with their kids all the time, watching the same telly, sitting over them as they play etc. I think it’s not a bad thing for my kids to see me reading or relaxing and enjoying myself as well. I don’t want them to think of me as just mum washing dishes, mum hoovering, mum cooking, mum doing laundry. It’s normal for them to see me also doing things I enjoy.

I agree @Kanaloa. No way am I going to sit there watching bloody Paw Patrol if I could be reading. I also don't really watch tv after they are in bed. I listen to audiobooks on my commute and while doing housework. I "read" 70 Books last year which includes about 30 audiobooks.

randomusername666 · 04/01/2023 20:39

SebastiansLeg · 04/01/2023 12:17

Audio books so I can multi-task.

Yes, audio books, on the go, on a speaker or earphones around the house, in bed before sleep or middle of the night when can't sleep

FindingMeno · 04/01/2023 20:44

When the children were young and I was tired it was audio books.
Then I read real books on coffee breaks and if they were out at Brownies or whatever.
Now I read a kindle at bedtime, and go to bed before I'm really tired to allow the chance.
I very rarely watch TV.

Thiswayorthatway · 04/01/2023 20:45

On my commute

LetsDoThis2023 · 04/01/2023 20:50

Read in the bath / in bed.
Put your phone down.

evemillbank · 04/01/2023 20:57

I listen to audible books on the parts of the school run that I'm alone.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 04/01/2023 21:01

Audio books on my commute and also reading in bed. I don't read nearly as much as I'd like to though...