Do You Ever Read?

[youretooloud]

I just got off the phone with a provider friend of mine, and she was saying she was going to start reading a book she bought last night, then she was going to study for her college class when the kids napped.

I said "You are going to read a book this morning?" She said "Yes, I'll get a couple of chapters done, then this afternoon, I won't mind studying because I'll have already read some of my book".

Um... I can't read a book while the kids are awake. It takes me 20 minutes just to read a post because I can't just sit here.

Her kids are a little older then mine.. but, it's my four year olds are the most demanding.

Is it just these kids? Or me? Or can you NOT sit and read a couple of chapters in a book either?

I would never sit and read a book when i have children to attend to or watch. I get way too involved in a book when I read and tune out everything around me. The children's saftey would be jepordized if I were to read a book.

[Lianne]

I could sit and read a book most days with the kids I have but I rarely do. Most of my kids are older and have been with me for a couple years so they know and follow the rules and I can trust them to do so most of the time. A couple days a week I have a little guy who tends to need more attention so I'm chasing after him a lot when he's here. I will rarely sit and read a book with the kids awake because, even though I could, I'm still mentally alert waiting for problems or them to need me and I hate being interrupted when reading a book. I can and do read magazines when the kids are preoccupied, especially outside or at the park.

[youretooloud]

Originally Posted by Lianne

II can and do read magazines when the kids are preoccupied, especially outside or at the park.

I can look at magazines. That doesn't take so much attention. I can read curriculum books too.. I just keep them on the counter and go back to them when I can.

My backyard is set up like my own little park and I love to sit out there with the kids and let them at it and do a little reading. Now, I don't get so involved that I don't know what's going on with the kids. I look up every page or so, make sure that they are sharing, give a big smile and a thumbs up to the little one who has made a creation in the sandbox, a "no thank you" to the one that is dumping the sand out of the sandbox, etc. It's one of the perks to this job.

[Sunny Day]

lol, I try sometimes if the kids are REALLY engrossed in something like a rainy day video or show, it never works--someone is always needing, wanting, demanding somthing! I'll get about a page read in like 20 minutes! lol. Most of the time I'm doing stuff with the kids, there is no way I could ever read a couple chapters in one morning that's for sure. Does reading the grocery flyers to plan menu's count??? I do that!

[MyAngels]

I sometimes read when the kids are all napping, but I don't when they are up and about. I read for enjoyment, and it's not particularly enjoyable with an interruption every few seconds .

[momofsix]

I took a book outside the other morning, my kids were all old enough to play on their own, the yard is perfectly safe, plenty of things to do...I never once even got to pick it up. My DH just laughed at me when he saw I had a book outside
My sister is one that can read constantly with her kids around, but she does things differently than I do. More like kids play together while she just makes sure they're safe kind of care

[PitterPatter]

Originally Posted by youretooloud

I just got off the phone with a provider friend of mine, and she was saying she was going to start reading a book she bought last night, then she was going to study for her college class when the kids napped.

I said "You are going to read a book this morning?" She said "Yes, I'll get a couple of chapters done, then this afternoon, I won't mind studying because I'll have already read some of my book".

Um... I can't read a book while the kids are awake. It takes me 20 minutes just to read a post because I can't just sit here.

Her kids are a little older then mine.. but, it's my four year olds are the most demanding.

Is it just these kids? Or me? Or can you NOT sit and read a couple of chapters in a book either?

Personally I can't read anything longer than a paragraph with my toddlers. If I walk away from them and try to look at a magazine even, I am right back up reminding to share or moving another for personal space issues, bringing another back into the play area etc. Nap time is dif thank God they all usually go down together and sleep at least an hour if not more so I can read or do dishes, go online, etc at that time.

[lucky]

I often take a book outside in the summer. When they are happily playing I can read a bit. I can also watch a movie and read a book too so I'm still tuned in to them.

[Christian Mother]

I love reading but the only time I can pick up a book is during nap time..and i am usually on here visiting with you all or checking email messages. I have all toddlers. There is no way I could even pick up a book and read it. hahahah!!

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by lucky

I often take a book outside in the summer. When they are happily playing I can read a bit. I can also watch a movie and read a book too so I'm still tuned in to them.

HaHa! I can do that too! My DH always says why do I have the TV on if I am reading? Ummm, cuz I can do twenty things at once! Duh!!!

Sometimes I have my book sitting next to me and when a commercial comes on I pick it up and read a bit until the show we were watching comes on and he always makes fun of me and says "I don't know how you can do that!"

As far as daycare goes I could totally read if I wanted to. I do read while we are outside because my yard is safe and the area we play in is enclosed so no worries there. During the day I have read books over the years, wrote papers for school, knitted, sewed, worked on editing photos and scrapbooking stuff, all sorts of things.....

My job is to watch child and provde a safe environment for them. My job is NOT to be their source of entertainment. I choose most days to be down on the floor with them because it is fun but there are days when "Go play" is the phrase of the day and when I say "Go play" they do...it requires no input from me whatsoever.

[Michael]

I find I can manage many things but it depends on how I prioritize them. The effectiveness and efficiency of time spent on tasks and how I can transition from one thing to the next.

I think someone engaged in a book might have a hard time transitioning in and out of the story. Many would just not engage in it until they had the time allotted to dive in. The magazine analogy from Tygerluv is a good example. Subtle immersement as compared to a deeper involvement may limit certain activities unil the day winds down. That is probably the reason I get to bed at 5am. I get more done late at night.

[KEG123]

I read right before I go to sleep, while laying in bed. I cannot normally read during the day, too many distractions!

[countrymom]

I like to enjoy my book so I can't read when the kids are around, even my own children bother me, it seems like they want all these things when I sit down and start to read so i wait till they go to bed.

[SilverSabre25]

I read when it's an easy sort of day or when the kids are all actually playing peacefully. Sometimes I play on the laptop (ahem...currently a Civilzation 4 junkie ). Sometimes I get stuff done...although this usually has the side effect of causing everyone to spaz out on me, so I don't get to do it very often.

I'm lucky; my group is actually really well-behaved 90% of the time. Most issues are handled with a look or a stern word in "that" tone.

[boysx5]

I love to read but can only read when I can relax therefore I do after daycare is done