How To Develop A Love Of Reading In Your Son

Nothing and I mean nothing has made as much of an impact on my life as reading has. Reading has changed my life and I would never be on the path that I am on without it. I was lucky that I had been a big reader ever since an early age. This was not by accident. It was encouraged by my parents and something that I was forced to do from time to time. Despite what new age parental advisers (or whatever the hell they’re called) will tell you about forcing a kid to do something will make him hate, that’s bullshit.

I was also made to do many other things that I didn’t want to do as well. This did not instill hatred in me but rather discipline and a hard work ethic. It all depends on how you do it and honestly as a kid reading was something that once I picked it up I enjoyed it so much that I continued doing it on my own (after being forced to start). I dropped off for some time throughout middle school and high school. Having other people write my book reports and such because of the God awful reading they made us too. But picked it back up in college when I discovered the great advantage non-fiction reading could give me in life. Anyways enough of the sidebar here is how to inspire a love of reading in your son that’ll last throughout his whole life

Read Yourself

You best teach through actions not words. Children aren’t stupid in that they can see when someone is being hypocritical to them and they resent it. If you tell them to not smoke but smoke a pack a day. You learn best by teaching as children learn best through imitation. Your son especially. He will want to be like his father. It’s a natural and healthy thing. What you do your son is going to see as important and do as well. I started lifting in sixth grade because after working in a warehouse all day my dad would still come home and lift weights.

I’d sit by and watch him or do pushups or something myself until I could use the weights as well. I remember how happy and proud I was when I was finally able to start working out. To be like my dad. Your son will be no different when he sees you open up a book before going to bed or first thing in the morning he takes notice. You may not think he does but trust me he does. All sons watch their fathers closely. The absolute best way to make sure your son grows into a reader is to be a reader yourself. This also applies to anything else you want your son to be.

Read To Him

I was lucky to have parents that read to be me as a child. Not often just every now and then and it was mostly my mother but nevertheless this had an effect on me. Not only does this instill a good habit but also facilitates bonding between a family, something incredibly important. Have him choose books of his liking and read them to him. You can start with something like the Grimm Fairytales and then progress from there. It can even be a comic book. The simple fact that you are with and reading is what really matters here.

If you have other children it’s also good to read to them as well but if your schedule permits it (meaning it’s important enough for you to make time) schedule father to son reading. That’ll take on a different meaning than if you read to your family as a whole. Do both but the importance of the father son reading cannot be underestimated. This also allows you show him the importance of certain traits and beliefs. To show him why certain actions are good and others bad. To begin to teach him to be a strong man, this can never begin early enough.

Have Good Books Around The House

You want to know why the majority of males don’t read (regardless of their age?) because ninety plus percent of books are made for women, to push an agenda, or both! I hated every book I read in high school, I hated every book I was forced to read in college, I hated every book I was recommended by mainstream sources. They all sucked, were feminine, and/or pushed for degeneracy. It was sickening and developed a hatred of reading in me for some time. However I was eventually exposed to good reading again and came around.

Have a library filled with good honor developing masculine books. Start them young with fiction then as they age and once they hit puberty get them onto non-fiction. Have them read books that are going to give them the skills and the strength needed to not just survive but thrive and fight in this world. The world will show no mercy to your sons and you owe to them as their father to do all you can to prepare them for the hell storm that they will face. And reading is essential to this process.

Summary

One more thing once he passes puberty and you introduce non-fiction you have to sell him on the benefit of reading. If someone would have told me books could give me the knowledge to get money, girls, and power I would have torn a path to my library (or Amazon more likely). The point is be sure to show your son the benefits of reading. Along with everything else you want him to do. Show him the why behind things and it makes a hell of a difference. Now go and take action and raise strong sons.

If you have any questions you would like to see answered in a future post send them to me at charlessledge001 (at) gmail (dot) com. If you found value in this post then I would encourage you to share this site with someone who may need it as well as check out my books here. I appreciate it. You can follow me on Twitter here.

-Charles Sledge