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by Nom de guerre on January 20th, 2007

Nom de guerre

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My husband refuses to read story books to our children (ages 2 and 4). Is this uncommon? Any ideas as to why he won't read to them? What could I do to encourage him to read to them? My father reading stories to me is one of my favorite childhood memories.

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Answers. 6 helpful answers below.

  • by mac1896 on January 20th, 2007

    mac1896

    Are you sure that your husband CAN read ? It wouldn't be the first time it's happened.

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  • by sssherri on January 20th, 2007

    sssherri

    I usually read more to our daughter while she was growing up. My hubby did read to her, but not all that often. Even though he didn't read all the much she always remember his stories because he ALWAYS changed the words or the story. I can hear them now, "DAD, that's not the way the story goes!" They'd laff & have a great time. The problem is that "Dad" has always had a problem reading. He CAN & does read, but it is very slow & more difficult for him. He solved this by making the story more interesting, by changing the story. If someone has problems reading it doesn't have to stop you from enjoying that time with your children. Take a creative approach & make it MORE that just the actual story. The children don't care, its more fun!

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  • by SloaneRanger on November 15th, 2008

    SloaneRanger

    I don't think it is totally uncommon. Maybe he isn't comfortable reading out loud?

    I think asking him why he doesn't want to and then addressing those issues will be the only way to encourage him. If his reasons are something like it is boring then a little gentle persuasion may encourage him to give a little of himself to the kids. If only so that he will get a little of Mommy in return.

    If it is about reading out loud maybe getting books on cd with the book so that Dad can turn the pages and snuggle with the kids while someone else reads the story. It doesn't matter who's voice is reading, it's about the time and closeness in the end.

    I think it's so important that both parents read to the kids especially if you have a son. They need to see that it's a "manly" thing to do.

    Hope it all works out for you.

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  • by sm00z on November 15th, 2008

    sm00z

    I don't think it's uncommon for husbands to not read aloud to their children. If they were raised in a home where books weren't valued, they may not be interested in reading as adults.

    The best way to encourage him to read to his children would probably involve getting a large quantity of picture books from the library and insist that he finds one that may interest him from the stack. Adults have to realize that just because books are written for little children is no reason for them to assume that reading them won't teach them something too.

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  • by Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony on January 20th, 2007

    Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony

    That is sad. I loved when my parents read to me as a child. A friend of mine had a father that was very hands off when it came to his children. Part of that was he was firm on not filling the kids heads with all that silly fairytale stuff found in books. I seriously thought he needed to be whacked over the head with a copy of Grimm's Fairytales Unabridged :)

    Is it possible that your husband has trouble reading for some reason(dyslexia maybe)? He also might just not enjoy that particular activity with your kids.

    I don't know how you would encourage him to read to your children more, because I don't know WHY he won't to begin with. Perhaps letting him pick the books would help. Make plans to take him and the kids to the library or a bookstore.

    Try a less sentimental approach and let him know that you want the children to be prepared when they start school and that reading to them is part of that plan.

    Honestly, I think you should just ask him if there is some reason that he won't read to your kids. That way, you would have a better idea of how to tackle this situation.

    Wish I had a better answer. I do hope this helps though.

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  • by Teri00 on January 20th, 2007

    Teri00

    Since I'm sure your husband can read (or else you'd know by now), perhaps the childhood memories you have aren't the same experiences he had. Maybe he associates that time of night with something unpleasant - and I'm not saying anything hideous like abuse, just for example, he got scared by a story, or his sibling played 'monster under the bed,' or some other event that makes him not really think about that time as being nice.

    Obviously, it could be a long-forgotten event, but just enough in his mind to make it a not-fun time. So make it your time with the kids instead - turn it into something happy for the whole family... make the time right before bed the Daddy Play Time, and your kids will have Mommy Reading Time later. Good luck. :)

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