Reading Resolution: Why This Isn’t About Reading More

If you’re anything like most parents I know, the idea of a New Year’s resolution already feels exhausting...

Drink more water.

Exercise more.

Be more patient.

Read more to your kids.

Cool cool cool… no pressure, right?

That’s exactly why I love the idea of a Reading Resolution — because when done right, it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what actually works for your family.

A Reading Resolution Is Not a Gold Star Contest

Let’s get this out of the way first: A reading resolution is not:

• Reading 100 books by February

• Forcing your preschooler to sit still longer than their attention span allows

• Feeling guilty because you forgot to read before bed (again)

Real life is busy. Kids are wiggly. Some days, survival mode wins — and that’s okay.

A reading resolution isn’t about perfection. It’s about building a relationship with books that feels natural, joyful, and doable.

Why Books Still Matter (Even in a Screen-Filled World)

I’m not anti-screen. Screens have their place. But when screens become the only solution for boredom, car rides, or quiet time, kids miss out on something important.

Books:

• Build imagination

• Grow vocabulary

• Support emotional development

• Create connection between kids and adults

And maybe most importantly — books slow things down in the best way.

As a mom of two and a PaperPie book rep who spends a lot of time at preschool book fairs, I’ve seen it firsthand: kids don’t need more entertainment. They need better options.

The Secret to a Sustainable Reading Habit

Here’s the secret no one tells you: Kids who love reading aren’t raised by parents who “do it all right.”

They’re raised by parents who:

• Keep books visible and accessible

• Let kids choose what they read

• Read imperfectly and inconsistently — but often enough

That’s it.

Some days, reading looks like a cozy bedtime story. Other days, it’s flipping through a silly flap book on the floor while dinner cooks. Both count.

Start Small (Like, Really Small)

If you’re starting a reading resolution this year, try one simple goal:

Make books part of your daily environment — not another task on your to-do list.

Leave a basket of books in the living room. Keep a few in the car. Toss an activity book in your bag instead of defaulting to a screen.

This is one reason I love PaperPie books — they’re designed to meet kids where they are. From interactive board books to early readers and activity books, there’s something for every stage and personality. No pressure. No “right” way.

This Year, Let Reading Feel Lighter

Your reading resolution doesn’t have to be bold or impressive. It just has to be yours.

One book at a time. One moment of connection.

One less “I’m bored” meltdown (we can dream).

That’s a resolution worth keeping.

-Happy Reading, friends

This post is part of the Reading Resolution series, created to help families build a love of reading all year long. In the next post, we’ll explore screen-free solutions that actually work for busy families. Stay tuned — we’re turning the page together.