I love to read… and I always have.

These days, I don’t get to read as much as I used to, but one place I truly enjoy it is when I travel. There’s something about being on a flight or in a hotel room that gives me uninterrupted “me time” and I use it to catch up on light, fun reading. John Grisham, Frederick Forsyth, Jeffrey Archer… old friends

But this isn’t really about me. It’s about our children.

Children don’t read as much anymore. There are a million distractions competing for their attention, and books often don’t make the list.

I remember going on a trip with my children many years ago, and all three of them had their faces buried in books. A stranger commented on how refreshing it was to see children reading. That moment made my heart glow.

But, let me be honest…it didn’t just happen like magic

My first daughter took to reading naturally. I had a budget for 12 books per month for her (I’m not kidding) and she would finish them all before the month ended! But for the other two, it was a mix of encouragement, structure… and yes, a little ‘carrot and stick’ They had to complete chores and also finish a book each week. Then I would reward them all with an allowance.

Was it bribery? Maybe…I prefer to call it ‘building a habit’

Fast forward to today…

Now that they are in their 20s, those same children are thanking me for making them read. My second daughter is registered in a library in almost every city she visits, and she and my son now compete on how many books they can finish each month.

And I smile.

Because what started as ‘pressure’ became a lifelong gift. Now they laugh at me as they ask me how many new books I’ve read in recent times…I’m clearly not keeping up!

Reading opens up the world. It builds imagination, improves thinking, expands vocabulary, and teaches children to see beyond themselves.

So, start early. Read to your children. Create family reading time. Let them see you read.

And if you’re not a parent yet, or even if you are, pick up a book today. It’s never too late to build a good habit.

Read a book today!