There are many ways you can influence your children. They say that children are a reflection of who their parents are. If a parent has a sailors mouth, more than likely their children will pick up those habits. Children think that their mom and dad are the smartest, coolest and bravest people on the planet. So in a child's mentality the parents actions are always right.

Actions always speak louder than words. So if you tell your child that reading is fun and they should read, you should show them. You can buy your child enough books to fill up the bookshelf but it won't make a difference if you don't encourage them. Simply telling them to read isn't enough. Reading to them is a great start. Let's be realistic, you don't have time to read as much to your child as they would like. Sometimes kids find a book they love and want it read six times in a row. Encourage them to read on their own. How you can you do this? Pick up a book, a magazine, or a newspaper and read yourself. Read something that interests you while your in the waiting area at the pediatricians office. Time will fly when you do this and your child will want to do the same so he or she can just be like their mommy or daddy.



It's just like when a little girl wants to wear a purse like her mommy or when a little boy wants to shave like his daddy. Your children look up to you and want to be just like you. Take advantage of that and pick up something to read. If you don't want to read something boring like politics and are interested in muscle fitness, then make a trip to Barnes and Noble with your kid(s). You can find a magazine for you and a cool book for them. It may seem simple to you but your child will see it as the coolest moment where they got to do something with you.

Once you get your child used to this reading routine with you, you will have more quiet time for reading for yourself. You can have quiet reading time with your son or daughter. By the time they are young adults you might be asking your child what are some good books that they would recommend.