Don’t Just Read With Your Kids

School is back in full swing, and it seems like the time disappears faster every day. Homeschooling is very rewarding, but it can be draining. After a long day of reading aloud, listening to reading, and managing reading, sometimes the last thing you want to do is pick up another book. The secret to not getting burnt out on books is to read something for fun. Choose a book and read for your own enjoyment. Don't just read with your kids.

There is something different about a task that you have to do and a task that you choose to do. You know how this goes with your kids right?! If it's their idea, they're all about it, but if it's your idea, good luck.

If you're not only reading things on the to-do list, you'll rekindle that love of reading that will cultivate a contagious hunger for great books.

So how do you keep on reading when you can barely keep your eyes open? Here's how I've made it through 25 more books this year (bringing my total to date to 75)!

Read With Your Ears

Reading with your ears is saying I heard from Andrew Pudewa that I've used with my kids as a way to encourage greater comprehension of what they're reading. It's also a great way to get reading in for weary moms! I'm not saying listen to books right before bed, because you'll miss half of the story.

Get a great series like Ralph Moody's Little Britches on Audible and listen as you run errands or drive kids to and from events.

You will love hearing about the life of this remarkable man. Maybe cowboy stories aren't your thing, but there are so many excellent options out there. One of my favorites I listened to this time was Through Gates of Splendor. I listened to this one during my morning walks. A little bit every once in a while adds up to a completed book!

Read Before Bed

Again, this can't be just any book. You've got to pick your pre-bedtime book very carefully. Something with short chapters is a great option. My husband and I have made it through three books in the past three months this way. My favorite is Torry Martin's The Call of the Mild: Misadventures in Africa, Hollywood, and Other Wild Places. The chapters are short and they are entertaining yet thought provoking to deep spiritual truths.

Read to Challenge Yourself

Occasionally it's really good to pick up a book that challenges your reading skills. If you're stuck in young adult fiction or historical fiction, or Bob books, it might be good to pick up a read that challenges your thinking or acting. These books are the ones that awaken your heart and mind to growth that you didn't expect.

It's good to be reacquainted to books like these for your own growth as well as to remind you why you're wanting to pass that love on to your kids.

It Isn't Really About A Number

When I started off reading this year, I really didn't put out a number goal for how many books that I wanted to read. I really just wanted to become a better reader. It just so happens that I've read 25 books every three months. I don't know if I'll continue at that pace through the rest of the year, but I know that I will keep reading.

Check out my first 25 this year...

And my second 25...

Here's the third 25:

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