Working Moms... A question...

Abinormal

How many books do you read to your child on the average work day? When do you read them and does your child seem to still have the attention span for a book, even after a full day of daycare?

Karla and Alex

Our week nights can be very hectic but we've managed to make 1 book a night before bed a ritual, we started it to create calm before bed, she now expects it. I usually pick a shorter book for the nights she's super tired and some nights she doesn't even want to deal with that. We get as far as we can and once she whines or starts to doze in my arms I put her in her crib.   

nikkirenee81

We read 2-4 before bed. She likes sitting and listening as she gets tired so that makes it easier. I wouldn't worry about it if your LO doesn't have the attention span for it at the end of the day. I am assuming that they read with the kids at the daycare (?) and I think as long as someone reads with them who care who it is? Just read together on the weekends!

FutureMrsBB

Usually one or two books. Depends on what type of mood he is in. We also have quiet time before bed when we read books so that expectation seems to help keep his attention. If he's not into it though I don't push it.

Pecas13

I will usually read to DS when DH does the dishes, or DH will read while I am making dinner.  DS loves to bring us books and then sit on our laps.  His favorite is "Go Dog, Go!"...he can sit through the whole thing, it simply amazes me!

shoeboxx

I read 1-4 books while I nurse him.  I also try use the 'look to find' books before we his bath.

celiabwatson

We read when he wants to. He has a basket of books in the living room and loves to read. So anytime he goes to the basket we get a book out and read it. Some nights he wants to read every book in the basket (I usually summarize...) and other nights we don't read at all. On Saturdays we go to the library so he gets lots of reading then and we always make sure to read on Sundays but ultimately I see that my son loves books and reading and I don't worry about doing it every day.

amy_rski

Reading is one of his favorite activities, so we read tons of books all evening.  Normally at least 1 when we get home before dinner so he gets some mommy time and then at least 3 before bed.  I think we could get rid of all his other toys and just leave his books and he's be a happy camper.

sasa625

DD loves to read, so she will often bring me a book or two when we get home from daycare. We also read 1-3 books before bed (she has her favorites she loves to read) and she'll sit for all of them.

iumegan716

We usually read around 6-8 as part of the bedtime routine.  There's a big stack in his room and I go through the stack asking if he wants to read each book.  He says yes or no.

We may read some in addition to those if he asks to, which he usually does.  He is really loving books right now.

emjenkins715

After bath time and right before bed.

mbgreenwalt

We have a water book in the tub that she'll let me read to her.  I try to read other books to her, but can only do so if DH is here to hold her down.  She still likes to grab and rip her books.

groovygrl

My kids (esp dd) are obsessed w/ books but this did not start until probably about 15-16 months. During the 1 hour between dinner & bed, we probably read 20-25 books to them (if you include reading the same book several times as separate counts). DD just says 'book' over & over until we have to refuse to read any more. We generally read a couple in the morning while getting ready but we do put a dvd in while we're getting ready so they're not as into the books then. We have books in the playroom, family room & both their bedrooms so wherever we are they have access if they want to. 

They can now sit through a book that has a VERY short 'story' (like a thomas the train or  elmo book or short mickey mouse one that has the buttons you can push to make noises) but the short board books with not a lot of words still are the most popular to hold attention, esp now that they can point to things when we say them, etc. But again, this really didn't happen until the last couple months. 

 

linday121

I usually read each boy a book before we leave in the morning and then it's usually anywhere from 5-15 books (depending on what we're doing) in the evening.  The boys never let us read them books together- they want their own private time with mommy and/or daddy.

AutumnBride929

We read about 3-4 books for him each night before bedtime as part of his routine.  He doesn't exactly have the attention span for every single one but he will pick out which books he wants us to read and then we shut the door to his bedroom and let him play while we read to him.  At times, he will climb into one of our laps while we're reading and sit for a few minutes and then he's off to play with something else again while we continue reading.