READing...Just for Mom

In honor of "National Share-a-Story Month" & our “Just for Mom Monday”, today's post is all about reading. We all know that reading to your kids has a significant impact on your child's academic success but what about the impact of our own love of books? As a mom, reading a book feels so indulgent! You might even feel a little guilty...sneaking away for a few minutes to read your book or favorite magazine. While doing some research I came across Gretchen Rubin's blog  “The Happiness Project”. I love the title of one her posts: "Want to Feel Happier? Read Something for Fun!" She talks about speaking with a friend who says he didn't have a lot of time to read and when he reads he wants it to be worthwhile. He thought if he was taking the time to read, it should be "educational". Like many of us, he feels guilty because it doesn't seem productive to put your feet up and read a fictional book. She pointed out to him that he watched a lot of "trashy" TV and not just documentaries. Why should he force himself to only read to "learn"? She pointed out to him…Reading is supposed to be fun! When you read for your own enjoyment, it sets an example for your kids...parents who love to read, pass that passion on to their kids. We all have to read stuff at times we don’t really want to read and it feels like a chore to even pick it up (that parenting book sitting on your night stand!), but finding a book with a fluffy, fun title (“Good in Bed”) with silly, eccentric characters (“A Year in Provence”) or a great historical-fiction book (“Shanghai Girls”), takes your mind off your mountain of laundry even it’s for just a chapter!

One sad statistic I found, said only 15% of adults read regularly! The 85%  who are not reading would probably say they don’t have the time! Here are some tips to make the time J Do your kids still nap? Commit to using 10-15 minutes of that precious time to put your feet up and open your book. If you kids don't nap anymore, institute a "quiet time" where everyone goes to their own "corners" and reads...including you! This is an idea to save with summer break around the corner. I LOVE audiobooks and I multi-task while I listen! Honestly, audiobooks are the only way I “read” these days. I listen while I am on the treadmill - time flies and I burn calories - BONUS! I listen while I am waiting in carpool and doing chores around the house! I also listen in bed at night. I don't get too far because I fall asleep too quickly but that's a good thing for me - no more trouble falling asleep! Read while you eat lunch - Flip through that magazine while you eat your PBJ. Yes, reading “People” counts…remember it’s supposed to be fun! Join a book club - libraries and many bookstores now offer book clubs and discussion groups. There is a wonderful “rush” when you discuss a great book with someone else! To find the right book, ask a friend for suggestions, browse a bookstore, go online or visit the library. Gretchen Rubin suggests, when you find the right book, “You should feel like going straight home and sitting down to read it, immediately” or in my case "...listen, immediately".J

To read more from Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project visit: http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/