Nine Ways Busy Moms Can Make Time for Reading

Most moms say they love to read but have no time for reading. Using some simple time management tips, even busy moms can make time to read at least one book per month.

*This post contains affiliate links.

I am an avid reader, and I used to read several books each month.  Over the last three years, my free time has been severely limited by the time it takes to care for our youngest daughter.  I realized how much I missed reading and how much my brain needs it.  Research suggests that reading can work as a serious stress-buster. One 2009 study by Sussex University researchers showed that reading may reduce stress by as much as 68%.

I am learning to squeeze time in my schedule by looking for times when I can multi task.

Nine Ways Busy Moms Make Time for Reading

Tuck a book in your bag.

Sometimes lots of small snipets of time add up.  Even if you only read a page or two or even just a paragraph, if you carry a book with you and read while waiting in line, on elevators, in doctors offices or anywhere you may have a minute free, you will be surprised how many books you can read.

Keep a book in the car.

If you have a book in your car, you are always prepared to read while you are waiting in a car line, or sitting in a traffic jam or in the drive thru.  This is another one of those times that could be just a small snippet of reading that could add up!

Schedule just time to read.

I promise, it’s okay.  You can schedule time for yourself.  The easiest way I know to make this work is with a time blocking schedule.  Schedule 15 minutes before bed or wake up just a few minutes earlier in the morning.  Look for small unused gaps in your daily schedule where you could work in some time to read.

Reading a real book helps you relax more than zoning out in front of a screen before bed.

Join a book club.

Sometimes all we need is a little extra motivation, and maybe even some accountability to get things done.  Book clubs can be online or in person.  Check your local coffee house or library for flyers, or start your own with a group of friends.

Read aloud to your family.

Sometimes your family is the absolute best book club for you.  A dear friend of mine said something about reading aloud that has always stuck with me:

Reading aloud to your children is a lifestyle to be treasured. They are never to old to be read to. My kids range in age from 9 to 17 and when I start reading, they drop what they are doing and crowd in. I have retained the power to influence thru the power of reading. ~ Sarah Von Haden (mother of 6 avid readers)

Also, reading aloud is one of the best ways to encourage reading in children.  If you want to grow readers in your home, be a reader yourself.  Read to your children and let them see you reading.

Read with your husband.

One of my favorite memories from the time when my husband and I were first married and without children is the time we spent reading books aloud to each other, and listening to audio books together.  We chose a series and read them aloud to each other in the evenings.  I can’t tell you how much we learned about each other through our discussion of those books.  This is a great exercise for young couples.

Turn off the TV.

Sometimes making time for reading requires taking time from other activities.  All I can say about this is prioritize.  Determine what you want most and what you will get the most benefit from.

Trade social media time.

I am always surprised at how much time I spend on social media.  What begins as a simple scroll through Instagram becomes 10 minutes of time wasted.  When I jump on facebook to check in with a group for an answer, I inevitably get caught up browsing through status updates and pictures.  That same time spent reading could cover a book or two per month.

Listen to audio books.

So, you might argue that listening to audio books is not exactly reading, and you would be right.  However, you are still taking in the same information, and you can do it while doing other things.  Listening to audio books is a great way to multitask.  You can listen to audio books in the car while driving or while you are working out.