How to make time for reading when you’re a busy parent
As a parent, its a common struggle to find time in-between schedules to make time for yourself not to talk of even reading a book! I ‘was’ your typical bookworm who prided herself in reading thick! novels within a week or less. I loved reading from my primary school days to the earlier years of my University life. Reading became a habit and really broadened my knowledge.
With kids coming into the picture, I don’t recall the last time I read a thick book. However, between 2020 and now I made up my mind to resuscitate my love for reading with some CPR. I am happy to announce that I have read about 2 to 3 books including Joyce Meyer’s Battlefield of the Mind and Awura Amma’s Motherhood 101. I am currently reading Woman Evolve by Sarah Jakes Roberts. The rate at which I read is much slower compared to before but I am happy with the progress made and would love to share some tips to help busy parents who would love to fix in some reading time into their busy schedule.
- Always keep a book in the washroom
Instead of going to the loo with your phone, I would recommend you go without it. You are certain to pick up the book you have stashed away in the washroom cabinet and read a page or two by the time you are done. If its an interesting one and your bathroom police (your kids..lol) are not interrupting or calling out for you, you can get to read for about 5 minutes in there!
2. It’s not a READATHON! (Reading Marathon)
Start with reading even if its a page a week or month or even one book over a period of 12 months. It is the intent that matters and not the speed! What I love about reading is the ability to teleport you into another world without any form of physical transport.
“Hello Passenger, as you embark on this reading journey take note that there is no need to overspeed and please enjoy the scenery as you progress with your reading goals.”
3. Buy books
If the ebooks don’t work for you, I recommend you buy hardcopy books. It reduces the temptation to get distracted with social media and whatsapp notifications. Reading hardcopy books doesn’t make you old school!
4. Invest in a tablet or kindle
There are some apps that make reading ebooks much easier and similar to reading hardcopy books. On my phone I use the Readera app because it helps me highlight and continue from the last page I read compared to reading using a pdf app.
5. Invite your kids (if they are old enough) and make them your accountability partners
You can disconnect from social media on Sundays and let your kids see you reading. Encourage them to read even if its a picture book for the preschoolers. Who knows, by the time you realise you would have started a family tradition of reading.
By the way if you want to sustain it, add some fun. Relax comfortably outside or in a cozy position at home with a touch of snacks, music and drinks. I can guarantee that they will remind you every week that its reading time even if their agenda is for the snacks. hahahahha
6. Join a book club
This a great way to have accountability partners and network with other book lovers. Personally I haven’t joined any yet but looking to join one soon. You can check out on the Ghana Must Read book club on instagram.
Hope these 6 tips help! I wish you the very best as you regain the power of reading as a busy parent.
How do you manage to make time for reading as a parent? What other book clubs would you recommend. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.
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