10 Tips for Encouraging a Love of Reading

I’ve posted several photos on Instagram recently of my daughters reading and have received many comments about their love of reading.

The most common comment is “How do you get your kids to read?”

I’m not a teacher or reading specialist, but I can tell you what I have done to encourage a love of reading in our home.

Consider the following findings from Comfy Living:

• Reading could help reduce mental decline in old age by up to 32%.

• Reading fiction can make you a better decision-maker.

• Reading increases emotional intelligence, and consequently, your career outlooks.

Don’t we want all of that for our kids? By encouraging a love of reading, we can guide our children to a brighter future.

1. Model Reading

The very first thing you need to do to encourage a love of reading is to model it!

Let your kids see you read regularly. Talk to them about the books you loved as a kid and what you are reading now.

2. Support Their Interests

It’s easy to want to push certain books on kids – especially those books we love.

But that may backfire.

Instead, find books that support their interests. Don’t worry.

Even if your kid has some really unique interests, there is a book that exists about this strange topic.

If they want to read graphic novels, let them! If they want to try a book at a higher reading level, don’t say no.

3. Encourage Library Use

Kids love libraries if they are shown the power of it.

Take kids to the library and explain how it works. They can borrow tons of books without spending any money. Get them their own library card.

They can participate in programming geared for their age group. *Summer reading programs are getting started so check out your local branch for kid, tween, and teen activities.

4. Have a Mom-Child Book Club

One of my favorite ways to encourage a love of reading is to participate in a mother-daughter book club.

If my daughter has a book she loves, I’ll read it. Then, I will make a date to discuss it with her at a restaurant. It makes her feel very grown-up and encourages her to continue reading.

5. Listen to Audiobooks Together

Audiobooks are excellent for auditory learners.

Many of today’s audiobooks are dramatized, which means they are acted out rather than having one person narrating the entire thing.

We like to listen to family-friendly audiobooks, like the Percy Jackson Series, while we are on road trips.

6. Keep Books in Every Room

I try to make it so my kid never has an excuse to say they don’t have anything to read.

I keep books in all the rooms where my girls may possibly read. And in the car.

7. Allow Kids to Read Past Bedtime

I like to encourage a little rebellion.

I will never forget when my daughters realized they could silently read a book with a flashlight past bedtime.

They felt like they were being rebellious, but I loved it.

Now at bedtime, we have to tell them to read but not to read too late.

8. Go All in for the Book Fair

Remember how much fun the Scholastic Book Fair was when you were growing up? It is still just as fun for your kids!

Go all in! Send them with money, order from the pamphlets, or volunteer.

And if you don’t have a school book fair, treat bookstores like a very special place where kids can get the books they really want.

9. Create a Reading Nook

Sure, you can read anywhere.

But there is something really special about a dedicated reading nook.

There are tons of ideas on Pinterest for creating reading nooks in homes.

10. Embrace Technology

Lastly, don’t neglect technology. Kids these days are used to getting everything they want or need via a mobile device or tablet.

Therefore, embrace technology. Download a library app for e-books or give them an allowance for buying books on their devices.

You can even set up time limits on devices, such as 1 hour for games and unlimited for reading.

Cleaning Tips for Moms Without Maids

As much as I would love a regular cleaning service, I've chosen to do as much of the cleaning as I can so I can spend my money on bags and shoes.

As a busy working mom, there are times when it is hard to stay on top of the housework. However, I have found some ways to keep my house clean without losing my mind through trial and error.

NOTE - While I love a clean house, I have also learned to accept imperfection. There are seasons when life is busier, and the house is messier. If you are in one of those seasons, don't beat yourself up.

Here are the things I am doing to keep my house clean without a maid.

Create a Cleaning Schedule

One of the most effective ways to keep my house clean and presentable is to keep a cleaning schedule. So I planned out certain days when I could do regular household chores.

Monday – Living Room and Shared Spaces
Tuesday – Bedrooms
Wednesday – Kitchen
Thursday – Bathrooms
Friday – Floors and Dusting
Weekends – Deep Cleaning Needs

When we stick to this schedule, it takes away the pressure to do everything at once.

Enlist Family Help

Someone told me when my girls were babies that instead of waiting to clean while they were sleeping, to do the cleaning when they were awake and watching. This teaches kids the importance of cleaning (and how to clean).

As a result, my girls have seen me clean our home since they were little, and now they are big enough to help.

My husband and I have also talked about which chores we hate and which ones we love and delegated them accordingly. For example, my husband hates cleaning bathrooms, but he doesn't mind doing dishes. I hate doing dishes, so we trade these chores with one another.

Whistle While You Work

Cleaning your home is so much better if you find ways to make it enjoyable. When the whole family is cleaning together, such as Saturday morning deep cleanings, we play music and dance and sing as we clean. When I am cleaning on my own, I put on a podcast or audiobook.

Make a Quick Cleanup Part of Your Evening Routine

Deep cleaning Saturdays haven't been as bad or time-consuming since we started making 15-minute cleanups part of our evening routine. After dinner, we spend 15 minutes picking up from the day. Someone in our home is doing the dishes while the others walk around, pick up things, and put them where they belong. Someone else is busy wiping down the counters.

Embrace a Less is More Philosophy

The more stuff you have to clean, the harder it will be. That's why I've embraced the idea that "less is more." Years ago, I started following the idea of one thing in, one thing out – and it has made a huge difference! Whenever I make a purchase, I follow it with a donation. It keeps my closets from overflowing and my shelves from turning into mounds of clutter.

Get the Right Tools

If you don't have the right cleaning tools, you'll make more work for yourself. We have a robot vacuum and a robot map, and both were well worth every penny. But it's more than just fancy electronic gadgets. I also invest in quality cleaning products, such as Clorox. When I'm cleaning my home, I love to use @Clorox products, and I'm excited they've launched another sustainable option with the NEW Clorox Multi-Purpose Refillable Cleaners! With the recyclable pods, I can use my bottle up to 30 times, which means 80% less plastic waste - not to mention, it's easier on my wallet too!

Do you have any cleaning tips to share?

12 Parenting Tips for the Middle Years

I am right in the middle of middle childhood, which is defined as ages 6 to 12.

There is a lot of information out there about how to parent babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and even teenagers.

But, there is not nearly as much out there about raising children during their middle childhood years.

And, I sure wish there was more available because I am currently living with a 7-year-old who thinks she is 17!

According to On My Way: A guide to Support Middle Years Child Development, “Middle childhood is a period when children are exploring who they are and who they want to be, establishing basic skills and health habits, grappling with puberty, physical changes and gender roles, making friendships and forming attitudes about the world they live in, and taking first steps toward independence.”

With a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old, I need all the help I can get with parenting during the middle childhood years!

Here’s the best advice I’ve found.

1. Allow Some Independence

Middle childhood is all about growing independent, so it’s time to let go a bit, Mom. As they get older, let them do things without you.

2. Make Them Responsible

Along with independence, look for opportunities to teach your kids to be responsible. An age-appropriate way to do so is to start having kids do chores around the house.

Another way to teach responsibility is to encourage kids to take ownership of their schoolwork. Let them complete homework and projects independently and accept responsibility when they make mistakes.

3. Talk and Talk Some More

Open communication goes a long way during these years of growth. Kids are soaking up everything they are hearing during this stage, so you want your positive, helpful, caring voice to be the loudest of all.

4. Teach Healthy Habits

Middle childhood is critical when it comes to teaching healthy habits because kids are learning more independence. They need to know how to take care of themselves (such as personal hygiene, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep).

5. Listen Rather Than Lecture

We want to give our kids advice to succeed, but when advice-giving turns to lecturing, your kids will stop listening. Instead, give your kids ample time to explain their reasoning and talk about what is going on in their lives.

6. Set Realistic Expectations

We want our children to be successful. However, we need to make sure the expectations we set are realistic and reasonable. If you set goals and expectations that are too hard for a middle age child, he or she will feel defeated.

7. Support Their Strengths

Children in this stage are learning their strengths and weaknesses. When you and your child identify a strength, encourage them in this area.

Children.gov suggests, “Acknowledge what children are good at, and support them in doing those activities as often and as well as possible. Use the things they are good at, whatever those things might be, to help them build their self-confidence.”

8. Read, Read, Read

Even as your child reads independently, look for opportunities to read together. Choose chapter books that interested you at their age and share the stories with them.

9. Show Affection

The days of easy affection with your child will eventually come to an end, so take advantage of this stage when they are growing independent but still want (and need) hugs.

10. Have Fun Together

Many parents find they love the middle childhood stage because it is fun! Kids are just starting to be able to do fun activities alongside you, such as riding roller coasters and playing board games.

11. Start Some Traditions

The childhood memories your child will cling to really start to form during this life stage. So, this is the time to start embracing family traditions, such as family dinners and annual visits to apple orchards.

12. Praise Them Constantly

Last but not least, go out of your way to praise your child! Their self-esteem is developing during middle childhood, and you can help give it a boost by showing them they are loved.