It’s just another Monday night when the clock strikes eight. My partner and I call our kids upstairs for bedtime. Most evenings, they comply without fuss; on others, they march up with exaggerated sighs, like a herd of annoyed alpacas. After a chaotic period of antics—where more toothpaste ends up on the carpet than in their mouths—they finally retreat to their rooms, waiting for us. Gone are the days of diapers, bottles, and sweet sleepy smiles; they’ve been replaced by eye rolls, attitudes, and the occasional “OK, Boomer.” Nevertheless, one cherished tradition remains intact: reading aloud together.
When people discover that my partner and I still read aloud to our teens, their reactions vary widely. The most common response is, “We just don’t have the time.” I completely understand! As the kids enter their teenage years, life speeds up, and time becomes a scarce resource. We’re constantly juggling responsibilities, leading us to feel overwhelmed. Yet, undeterred by the chaos, we remain committed to our nightly read-aloud routine, which has emerged as one of the most rewarding choices we’ve made as parents.
The shift from reading children’s books to engaging with teen literature was almost instantaneous. One day, we were immersed in the fantastical worlds of series like Fablehaven and Harry Potter, and the next, we were diving into works by authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and Neil Gaiman. This transition brought new challenges, primarily around consistency and content.
Homework, sports, music lessons—the list goes on. Does it sound familiar? Our Google calendar is packed, making it a challenge to carve out time for reading. As someone who tends to be all-or-nothing, I’ve learned to adapt to our unpredictable schedules. Our goal is to read together three nights a week; if we manage that, we consider it a win. If not, we simply carry on.
Interestingly, my teens skipped the young adult genre and dove straight into adult fiction, which often comes with mature themes. While reading such content might seem daunting, it opens the door for deep conversations about pressing social issues like poverty, racism, and bullying. These discussions allow my children to engage and inquire in a safe space.
I know why I treasure this routine, but what drives my partner to keep it alive when many of our peers have let it go? As a father with a demanding job, he cherishes the time spent bonding with each child individually. Plus, he genuinely enjoys it! As our kids have developed their tastes, he has embraced a more teen-directed approach to selecting what we read. When our daughter expressed interest in horror, he suggested Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which perfectly matched her interests and introduced her to classic literature. Our eldest son, a budding fan of Dungeons & Dragons, was eager to read The Hobbit after its popularity surged due to its film adaptation.
A fun tidbit: My partner is a master of character voices, and he hasn’t stopped using them even as the kids have outgrown that phase. His engaging performances bring stories to life, particularly when reading The Hobbit, where his vocal talents shine. Lucky for our eldest, he had already been introduced to the material, making it easier for him to tackle it later for summer reading.
While my partner excels in entertaining the kids during read-alouds, my focus leans more toward vocabulary development and empathy. I may not have his range of voices, but I’m articulate enough that my youngest once remarked, “Your tone is soothing.” I’m happy to let my partner handle the performance aspect.
Over the years, I’ve developed a keen understanding of my teens’ vocabularies. When we encounter unfamiliar words, I encourage them to deduce meanings from context clues. Just last week, my youngest casually used the word “plethora” in conversation, and I can’t deny it made me proud.
Our read-aloud sessions spark discussions where I prompt my kids to reflect on what they’ve read. I ask them if they understood the material, what questions they have, and their thoughts on various themes. When they were younger, I would request plot summaries to gauge their attention and comprehension. Now, I dive deeper with more specific inquiries.
For example, while reading Lord of the Flies, my third child remained fully engaged, questioning the boys’ descent into savagery and what fear drove them to such extremes. These discussions enrich their understanding and foster empathy, as I’ve witnessed firsthand.
Our family has explored a range of themes through literature, from societal class in The Outsiders to identity in The Graveyard Book. We’ve traveled through different times, cultures, and genres, including poetry and nonfiction.
Recently, we packed away a plethora of books, and it was an emotional moment for me, especially when I sealed up the box of board books. Nostalgia washed over me as I recalled the significance of Goodnight Moon. Soon, my oldest will leave for college, and I’m reminded of the saying, “Enjoy it because they grow up too fast.” I used to chuckle at that sentiment until I experienced the truth of it. Days once seemed long, but now I see how fleeting these years are.
This is our time. Soon, my children will forge their paths, and I won’t have the chance to relive these moments. So, I will savor every second we have together during their teen years, and we’ll continue reading, laughing, and loving as a family. I hope they will look back fondly on these evenings we spent together, united in our shared love for stories and each other.
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In summary, reading aloud to my teens remains a vital part of our family life, enriching our connections and conversations while allowing us to explore complex themes and ideas together.