I always enjoy reading your thoughts! It is the same here. Not just me but also the teenagers I'm responsible for. I have set up a Family-Readathon over summer break and so far (2 weeks in) it seems to work. The teenagers are very competitive and I am ashamed for being so far behind already ;)
I decided, this first time there would be no rules except for completing as many books/comics/manga or audiobooks as possible. One of my kids has very (very very) severe dyslexia, so I would never make us all count pages or make a comic count "less" than a novel, but you could do that, if all readers were on the "same reading-level", if that makes sense. My children are 6 (this one can't read on their own yet), one is 12 and one is 17.
But I am thinking, that if I did that again next year or at Christmas Break, I would like to give them a list of tasks to fulfil, like "read a book by an author you have never read before" or "read a genre you haven't read before" or "read a book with water on the cover", something like that. Similar to some readathons I have seen being announced on different Youtube channels.
The winner will chose the destination of a family day-trip we are planning at the end of summer break. But bragging rights already work very well over here ;)
I've been doing a lot of reading too! Better for your sanity for sure, and hey - reading makes us better writers, so it's still way better for our writing than doomscrolling :)
Great post! The world probably would be better if we all interacted and cared about each other in person. Saw the world through our senses, not a screen or lens.
I also add that if anyone us beating themselves up for wasting their time doom scrolling; don't.
Yes, use that guilt & regret to motivate yourself to be less online in the future. And keep trying even if you fall back into the habit. Bad habits are hard to break. Try replacing it with a good habit, like going for a walk or chatting with friends or playing board games or starting a book club.
But always remember, the past is done. You can't change it. Bit you can change the future.
Same. Same. Thanks for putting this into words. Back to my writing desk, where two projects are underway...one in revision, one in notes/draft. My paths forward through these times...
I always enjoy reading your thoughts! It is the same here. Not just me but also the teenagers I'm responsible for. I have set up a Family-Readathon over summer break and so far (2 weeks in) it seems to work. The teenagers are very competitive and I am ashamed for being so far behind already ;)
How fun! I love that!
I'd like more information about this Family Readathon! What are the rules, and what are the ages of your readers?
I decided, this first time there would be no rules except for completing as many books/comics/manga or audiobooks as possible. One of my kids has very (very very) severe dyslexia, so I would never make us all count pages or make a comic count "less" than a novel, but you could do that, if all readers were on the "same reading-level", if that makes sense. My children are 6 (this one can't read on their own yet), one is 12 and one is 17.
But I am thinking, that if I did that again next year or at Christmas Break, I would like to give them a list of tasks to fulfil, like "read a book by an author you have never read before" or "read a genre you haven't read before" or "read a book with water on the cover", something like that. Similar to some readathons I have seen being announced on different Youtube channels.
That all makes sense. Mine are much closer together than yours (9 & 11) and both pretty strong readers, they're just seduced by all the tech.
Do you have any incentives in place other than bragging rights?
The winner will chose the destination of a family day-trip we are planning at the end of summer break. But bragging rights already work very well over here ;)
That's awesome. Thank you
My problem is I get off the internet, and I spend all that regained time reading books! It's better for my sanity, but does nothing for productivity.
I've been doing a lot of reading too! Better for your sanity for sure, and hey - reading makes us better writers, so it's still way better for our writing than doomscrolling :)
Great post! The world probably would be better if we all interacted and cared about each other in person. Saw the world through our senses, not a screen or lens.
I also add that if anyone us beating themselves up for wasting their time doom scrolling; don't.
Yes, use that guilt & regret to motivate yourself to be less online in the future. And keep trying even if you fall back into the habit. Bad habits are hard to break. Try replacing it with a good habit, like going for a walk or chatting with friends or playing board games or starting a book club.
But always remember, the past is done. You can't change it. Bit you can change the future.
Same. Same. Thanks for putting this into words. Back to my writing desk, where two projects are underway...one in revision, one in notes/draft. My paths forward through these times...
Perfect!!
If we all interacted *more* in person the world would be better, is what I meant. I can't find a way to edit my previous comment.