What if your kid doesn't want to read?

I have 3 boys, one of whom LOVES to read.  He is pictured above at age 6, he's 12 now.  He has loved books from the time he could sit up.  Seriously, do you know how many times I found him as a baby sitting with a board book in his lap?  A LOT!  As a toddler, there were times when it was really quiet and when I went to check on him he wasn't getting into anything, he had a book in his lap.  He was the kid who taught himself to read (don't ask me how) and by end of Kindergarten had fully dived into the Boxcar Children Series.  I dealt with some criticism, since people assumed I had pushed him but seriously, the kid just read, I have no idea how!  

My second child liked to be read to but didn't gravitate toward books.  He wasn't one to just look at books unless it was a scheduled time that I set for him, like bedtime.  He had no issues learning to read (learned in school) and by the end of 1st grade was reading above grade level but he still didn't enjoy books like his older brother.

My third son has been an interesting mix.  He is similar to his older brother, in that, he basically taught himself to read (still haven't figured that one out & I am a much more confident mom, so I have ignored any criticism).  If I suggest he reads, he will but he doesn't always grab books.  He also likes to be read to and enjoys the library.

So 2 out of 3 love/like to read.  YIPPEE!  However, this post is about the one who doesn't like to read.  He happens to be my strong-willed and stubborn determined one, which are great qualities that I know can serve him well someday.  However, right now, it is pain that he doesn't like to read, is strong-willed and determined.  When we head to the library, 2 are thrilled and 1 is cranky!  Not fun!  2 willing read and 1 fights me every step of the way.  Ugh!  So how have I handled it?  I've come up with 7 things and this is what works for me!

#1 Pray - God is the giver of wisdom and the one who can change hearts.

#2 Don't Compare - I've tried so hard to not compare him to his brothers but assured him that everyone is different.  It is OK that he doesn't read like his brothers.  Actually, I don't like to read.  I was dyslexic and really struggled to learn to read (thankfully none of my boys inherited that issue).  My husband is the avid reader.  He can devour a 500 page book on the Korean War in an evening, makes me cranky!

#3 Encourage Reading Anyway - Even though he doesn't like to read, I still gently encourage him and tell him that reading is important and a priority in our house.  He still has to read.


#4 Do What Works - He is willing to read at bedtime so I make sure that he gets into bed early enough to have time to read.

#5 Keep Looking - Every time I go to the library I pick out a couple books for him.  About 25% of the time he will read them.
#6 Find Series Books - I love series books because if he likes the first one, he generally will move to book #2, #3, etc.  Also, sometimes I read the first book in a series out loud to him and then he gets into the rest by himself.

#7 Do Read-a-louds - My dear neighbor, Kay, loves to read.  She told me that some of her fondest memories of her mother involve her mother reading books to her.  Kay is convinced that her love for reading came from her mother reading aloud.  I have taken that to heart and make it a priority to read to my son, even though he is 10-1/2!  I try to read 1 chapter a day.  When he was 7, I read him the entire Magic Tree House series.  That was fun!  Right now we are reading Peter and the Starcatcher and I hope to do the whole series with him.

So that is what works for me and I hope that these tips are helpful for you!

This post linked to 

Works For Me Wednesday 

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