Your teenagers have better things to do than read a book. This is something that they’ve told you again and again. In fact, you almost believe them. They’re active in sports. They study hard and play even harder. There’s little time left for a good book.
You aren’t doing your children any favors by letting them tell you they don’t have time to read. The very brightest students today are those who grew up with a book in their hand. The students that succeed academically are those who like to read. The trick is, you have to allow your child to read what they want to read even if it isn’t something that you particularly want them to read.
The way to encourage any young person to read a good book is to ensure that the person reading it thinks it is an interesting book. If it is something that they will be interested in reading, then they’ll sit down and take the time to read it. You, as a parent, have to understand that your teenage girls will want to read a good romance and your son may want to read about horror or some other topic you don’t really want him to read as a teenager. It’s okay. As long as the book is a young adult title and geared toward young adults, hand them the book. Let them read!
The Harry Potter books were obviously a huge hit with teenagers. The world of Harry Potter enticed readers of all ages to explore another world. Those young adults who wouldn’t read anything were lured into the pages of an exciting adventure they never wanted to leave. In the beginning, if you’ll remember, Harry Potter books were controversial but the truth is, they encouraged and inspired reading.
As a parent, you have to allow your teenager to be who they are. If they want to read sci-fi and you don’t see the point, that’s okay. If your daughter really wants to read Harlequin, find titles that you approve. Whatever you do, encourage your teenager to read and when they finally pick up a book, don’t judge the title they choose.
Another great resource:101 Ways To Get More Done With Less Stress
