It’s another ordinary Monday night. The clock strikes eight, and my partner and I call our children, guiding them upstairs for bedtime. Some nights are seamless; other times they grumble up the stairs like annoyed llamas. After a lengthy series of antics, including several toothpaste mishaps in the hallway, they eventually retreat to their rooms and await our arrival. The days of diapers, bottles, and sweet baby smiles have long since passed, replaced by eye rolls, teenage attitudes, and the iconic phrase, “OK, Boomer.” Yet, in our household, one tradition remains: reading aloud together.
When people discover that my partner and I still read to our teens, the most common response is, “We just don’t have time for that.” I completely understand! As our kids grow, life seems to pick up speed, and time becomes a scarce resource. With numerous responsibilities and commitments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Despite the chaos, my partner and I have remained dedicated to our nightly reading sessions, which has turned out to be one of the most rewarding parenting choices we’ve made.
The shift from reading children’s books to engaging with more mature content happened almost overnight. One day we were immersed in the tales of magical realms, and the next, we were exploring the worlds created by authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and Neil Gaiman. Suddenly, our biggest challenges became maintaining consistency and selecting appropriate content.
With homework, band practice, piano lessons, and sports—our calendar often feels like a dizzying puzzle. How do we find time for reading? As someone who tends to go all-in or nothing, I’ve had to learn to navigate our unpredictable schedules. Some evenings, practices run late, and other times, school events keep us out past bedtime. We aim to read three nights a week; if we hit that goal, we celebrate. If not, we simply move on.
Interestingly, my teens bypassed young adult literature altogether, diving straight into adult fiction. This transition comes with its own set of challenges, but it also opens the door for deep discussions on significant issues like poverty, racism, and mental health. Books have become a conduit for meaningful conversations, allowing my children to share their thoughts in a safe space.
What keeps my partner engaged in this routine when many of our peers have given it up? As a busy dad, he cherishes this time to bond with each child individually. Plus, he genuinely enjoys it! His approach has evolved, allowing our children to guide the reading selections. For instance, when our daughter expressed interest in horror, he suggested Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which she loved. He also encouraged our son to read The Hobbit after its cinematic release, aligning with his interests in video games.
Another fun aspect is my partner’s remarkable ability to bring characters to life with his voices and accents. He continues to use these talents, much to the amusement of our kids, who eagerly await his dramatic readings.
Over the years, I’ve developed a keen understanding of my teens’ vocabularies. When we encounter unfamiliar words, I encourage them to infer meanings from context. Recently, my youngest used “plethora” in conversation, which made me proud. Our read-aloud sessions prompt critical thinking and discussions about the material. As they have matured, the conversations have deepened.
For instance, while reading Lord of the Flies, my son was captivated by the narrative’s exploration of human nature and societal breakdown. We engaged in extensive discussions about fear and morality, enriching his understanding of the text and the world around him. Reading not only enhances empathy but also broadens perspectives, a benefit I witnessed firsthand with my son.
Through our reading adventures, we’ve tackled themes of society and class in The Outsiders, community and identity in The Graveyard Book, and authority issues in Ender’s Game. We’ve explored diverse genres, from novels to poetry, each selection offering new insights.
Recently, we packed many boxes of books for storage, shedding a few tears as I said goodbye to board books that once filled our shelves. The nostalgia of Goodnight Moon resonates deeply now, especially with my eldest preparing to leave for college soon.
As empty nesters often advise, “Cherish these moments; they grow up too fast.” Before I had teenagers, I would roll my eyes at that sentiment. Days seemed endless, but now I realize how fleeting this time is. So, I’ll savor every moment of these teenage years. My partner and I will continue to read with them, as it’s one of the many ways we express our love. I hope they’ll look back fondly on our evenings of reading, laughter, and connection.
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Summary
Reading aloud to teens fosters deeper connections and discussions about essential life topics while enhancing vocabulary and empathy. Despite a busy lifestyle, the commitment to this nightly ritual proves rewarding for both parents and children.
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