Last Updated on June 22, 2018
I agree that being a mom is a 24/7 job. But all work and no play makes mom a big grouch!
I used to love to read, but once I became a mom, I somehow felt that reading was a colossal waste of time. There is so much to do, how could I possibly just sit there and read? Well, I had a a dear woman in the church library who set me straight on that one. She was a lover of books and was older and wiser than me. This dear woman told me that I was absolutely wrong to think that reading was a “waste of time”—reading allows growth and release and is exactly what moms should do to help them make it through the week!
Reading allows your mind to rest from the busyness of the day and allows you to grow in knowledge and explore other possibilities—whether fiction or nonfiction.
I made an agreement with myself that I am allowed to read, and to keep it interesting I take turns. I read a “fun” book, and then I read a “growth” book. You’d be amazed at the places you can find me reading. When you always have your book with you, there are opportunities to read in doctor’s offices, school pick-up lines, soccer practice, and even at band performances (when my child isn’t playing, of course).
It took some training, but once I learned that I could read in snippets, time that I once considered wasted while waiting I now enjoy because I see it as an opportunity to read. For the record, I also learned that mindless scrolling through a phone seems to add to pressure instead of acting as a release like reading.
And imagine this—you can read at night once the children go to bed. Did you know that you don’t have to sit in front of a computer or the TV every night to enjoy your evening? Because my children have always seen their father and me reading before bed, they, too, like to read to wind down.
Yes, there have been seasons where reading just didn’t fit into my daily schedule, and that’s okay. The point is, if you want to, you now officially have permission to “waste your time” reading!
While we’re on the subject, please leave a comment and let me know your favorite books of all time!
i would like to add that i’m also a Mom, who used to love reading. but with my hectic schedule and 4 daughters it has become so difficult. but i always believed in teaching them how to read and also to make a special time for reading. i was busy with homework last night and my 2 year old daughter stumbled across one of my books that i was supposed to read many moons back, but also never had time to read. so now your article is just what i needed to convince me the importance of reading. thank you so much. Ruth
How fun that you “stumbled” upon this post at just the right time! God always has the best timing … doesn’t He?! So awesome Ruth … enjoy that good read! Modeling making time to read is always good for our kids!
I have always, ALWAYS loved to read and since having kids hardly every get to anymore. The one thing I do miss most about working (ok well besides the good pay) is my one hour uninterrupted lunch break when I could read. But I have put a schedule together for myself and my little ones and I have given myself between half hr and an hr of reading time every day. Now I just pray that works out. Oh and my two favorite books of all time are: Road To Paradise Island by Victoria Hold and Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
I love Janette Oke, and I have read her Canadian West series several times. My husband is a pastor and we have moved a lot, so it is a comfort to read those stories of change and growth.