How To Read More Books As A Busy Mom

Wondering how to read more books? So you’re a busy mom with a baby to take care of, piles of laundry, dishes in the sink, and toys and diapers scattered around. How do you find time to read? Or why even bother?  

It’s easier to sit down and watch a video or skip the continued learning altogether. But there is so much wisdom we can glean from a physical book and from parents who have gone before. And we’re being an example to our children. They do what they see us do so if we want them to read we need to be readers too. 

Reading is essential for those who seek to rise about the ordinary.

Jim Rohn

Not only does reading help us gain needed knowledge but it also improves our focus and memory, things that can be lacking in our fast-paced distracted world. Reading also improves the empathy and communication skills that we pass on to our children. 

But how? How can we make reading different books a priority when we’re so busy? Today I’m sharing with you a few of the things that have helped me read more books even with our little busy bee. These can help you with your reading goals too. 

Wake Up A Little Earlier

This can be hard if you are in the midst of nighttime feedings and already not getting enough sleep. I know there are some night owls out there but I think most of us can benefit from a little earlier bedtime and a little earlier waketime. Having some time to yourself in the morning to start the day quietly can change your whole day and make you feel so much more relaxed. 

This is the time when I read my Bible and write in my prayer journal. It truly does start the day off better. When I miss this time and try to read when our little one is already up I’m way more distracted and there is just not the same amount of peace in my day. If I can start the day quietly reading I find that it is easier for me to be patient and kind too. Having a specific reading routine and time is so helpful. Have a list of books ready for your reading time and read on a daily basis. If you are consistent you will for your own reading habit and look forward to sitting down in that quiet place with great books and you will learn to love it. 

If you want to start waking a bit earlier but are struggling here are a few tips:

• Know why it’s important to you.
• Think of a small pleasure you can include in your routine that makes you want to get up. It could just be your favorite tea. 
• Keep a glass of water beside your bed and hydrate when you wake up. It makes it easier to come alive. 
• If you can, move from the bed to a cozy reading spot like a comfy chair by a lamp. 
• Try getting up just 15 minutes before you currently get up and gradually increase the increments until you reach the time you want to rise. 
• Get in the light. If you have a therapy light to sit in front of when you get up that really helps. It can help you wake up but can also help you sleep better later and regulate your sleep. 

Set realistic goals. Decide the number of books you want to read in a year and break it down by month. Keep a list of book recommendations and favorite books so you always have something worth reading at hand. And if you reading something you are not getting value from stop and read something else. There are so many great life-changing books out there. The next book may be just the one to give you a new perspective. 

Keep Your Social Media Usage in Check

This was a big one for me. I would find myself mindlessly scrolling through social media throughout the day when I was at home with our baby girl. Mommas, we’re tired and it is so tempting to do that. Plop down on the couch to breathe for a moment and start scrolling. Sometimes I wouldn’t even realize I was doing it and then all of a sudden I’m like, “What am I doing? This is adding no value to my day, I’m not even paying attention!” 

Instead, I started committing to reading on my Kindle app instead of starting the social media scroll. As a reminder to think before just hitting those social apps, I moved them to the second page on my phone so they are not right on the home screen. When  I had to hunt for those apps I was more aware of the time I was about to waste. I kept the Kindle app where I could see it more easily and started reading more. Even if I could only read one page each time. Social media can be an effective tool for business and inspiration but it can also shorten our attention span and keep us from creating a new reading habit that can fill us up in much better ways. 

Find your intrinsic motivation, that motivation from within about what you want to learn and why. Could some great reading material help you meet your goals? Remember that the next time you are tempted to scroll on digital devices rather than read. What kind of person do you want to be? I have to ask myself that question a lot. 

Think About Your Day And Look For Small Spaces of Time

I mentioned that I use the Kindle app. I have it on my phone so I can read easily throughout the day. One way that I fit in reading is while I’m breastfeeding our baby girl. I can still look at her, and snuggle her but can also fit in a couple of pages while she eats. I just keep the phone out of her sight in one hand. Also during nap time. Usually, there are many tasks to get done during naps but you can set aside just 10-15 minutes to fit in some reading even with a busy schedule. 

You could create a game out of it. See how fast you can fold the laundry so you have a few minutes to sit and read. Remember you are improving your mind and focus which can make you a better parent. It’s valuable. It’s a good habit for you and the kids. 

Spare moments can become book reading moments. See how much you can learn in bursts!

Read More Books With A Morning Basket

If you want to read more physical books and get rest from looking at a device consider a morning basket. It does not have to be just for mornings. Keeping a basket of books and things you want to read makes it easy to move around the house. You can have it by your bed in the morning and then carry it to the living room in the afternoon, etc. It sits there as a reminder to read instead of zoning out with TV and social media. You can keep paper and pens in there too for notes and journaling. Think about other things you could add like chapstick and tissues so you are not distracted when you get dry lips or have a runny nose. If you are like me something may bring you to tears too and those tissues come in handy. 

We do not always need to buy physical books, check out your public library. Many libraries allow you to borrow books for two weeks. That is extra motivation to read and finish a book before it’s due. 

Read To Your Baby

It does not have to be a baby book. Babies love to just hear the sound of your voice. You can share the books you are reading out loud sometimes with your baby, It may even put them to sleep. This is a great way to read more books.

Reading to your baby helps their language development and is also bonding. It can help them develop a love of books. They may not understand what you are saying but it is working their brains in so many great ways. They learn rhythm and cadence from our voices. And they start learning how words and sentences fit together. Including your baby is just another way to fit in a little more reading time. You could a short story collection and different genres. Share your favorite quotes with your children. Show them how important having a reading life is. 

Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.

Frederick Douglass

If you have a toddler it can be a bit more challenging. They are on the go little things. But you can still read to them as they roam around the room and play.

Bonus Tip: I mentioned this, but don’t read what you don’t like and is not adding value! As a Type A person I feel compelled to finish a book no matter what. But if a book is not adding value to your life and you are not enjoying it, then let it go and read something else. No book police are going to come after you. Your time is too valuable to waste. Trying to force yourself to finish an uninspiring book is one of the surest ways to quit reading and go back to scrolling. 

Find an online community that acts as a book club if that is something you find inspiring. You could set a daily reading goal by minutes or number of pages. If you would rather listen to books being read you can use an audiobook app. Follow even a few of these tips and you may just find yourself becoming an avid reader. 

Being a busy mom can cut down on personal time but by continuing to grow as a person you are showing your children what they can do. You can do it, Momma!

“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.” Napoleon Bonaparte

This post was all about how to read more as a busy mom. What tips would you add? 

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