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When Boys Stop Reading, Something Else Fills the Void
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this post was submitted on 12 Oct 2026
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If my own childhood is anything to judge by, I'm not sure requiring something of a child is a great way to instill a love of that thing.
If mine is, it is. Almost like everyone is different. But I think it's fine and good to require some things of children, as long as it's not over the top, they have some agency about parts of it (e.g. what to read), and have enough time for their own other interests too.
If the kid isn't remotely interested at the jump, you're just pushing a boulder up a hill and everyone is getting angry about it.
Parenting is more like boxing than putting together Legos. Have a plan, absolutely have a plan, but know who you're dealing with. There are other activities that are enriching that aren't reading. You don't get to pick who your kid is anymore than they get to pick who their parents are.
if the child isnt interested at the jump, you as the parent messed up by not introducing reading early enough.
All you gotta do is bake story time into the bedtime routine starting shortly after they sleep through the night. As a baby. Read some Dr. Suess to your baby and make em laugh as you do so.
I read to my son every night, until he was about 8, then he didnt want to be read to anymore.. and started reading on his own.
No you cant tell a ten year old what to be interested in, or much past 6, be able to direct which books as much, but toddlers will follow your lead more or less, as you establish routines, keep the screen from thier face, and these routines will carry into the later kid years.
Of course everyone is different; in fact, that is kind of the essence of my point.