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Martha in VA
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| Posted: Dec 29 2008 at 3:19pm | IP Logged
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I am really thinking a lot these days (as are many of you, I am sure) about our routines around here. Lots of things slipped by over the past few months and I'd like to change that. Over the past week, I've taken time to linger on the couch and read a book just for me. It has been wonderful. I know it's not realistic that this will happen as much once we're back to the grind next week but I'd like to know how you all work this in. Normally, I feel guilty if I set aside a few minutes during the day to read and at night I'm just jello! 
Looking forward to hearing your replies...
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JodieLyn
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As silly as it sounds.. some of the best time for me to read "harder" material.. things that are unfamiliar and not just fun reading.. college level stuff etc.. is in the bathroom.. I get a few minutes periodically through the day to read and that gives me time to think about and understand what I've read and let me go back and reread that section if I just didn't quite get it the first time around.
That's also fun because then when I'm doing mindless work through the day it gives me that new stuff to think about.
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dawn2006
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I like what Jodie suggested. Also, right now I have a baby small enough for two naps a day. That gives me 20 minutes (10 minutes x 2 naps) to nurse him down and I read a bit while I do that. Also, my kids have a quiet time in the PM and I take the first 30 minutes of that time (after the baby is down) for spiritual study time. A friend and I are doing that for December as part of our studying Homeschooling With a Meek and Quiet Spirit.
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aussieannie
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I make time to read daily in the bath.
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Dec 29 2008 at 5:02pm | IP Logged
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I thought you were asking about reading to our children. Now I see you meant for ourselves. But I'll answer both... 
Our chapter read-aloud I "prefer" doing first thing in the morning while the three kids have breakfast. That works best because we haven't moved on to anything else so I have their full attention.
Picture books are done randomly throughout the day. There's no set time at all. A child brings me a book or I find us discussing a topic and I remember a good picture book to cover it or I lift out of the basket whatever our monthly study is, etc.
For myself it's every night. Every single night. Often late. Often at midnight. Just me and my nightlight.  And at Adoration or sitting in waiting lines, waiting rooms, etc. But I prefer in my bed at night.
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Sarah
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In bed at night by flashlight. No interruptions. I have to read or I cannot fall asleep because I think, think, think, then it goes to worry, plan, fret, regret, etc.
Reading helps to relax me and it works out because I get a lot read.
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Alison
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Me too Sarah. I keep several books on my bedside table and read whichever calls loudest to me that night. Re the thinking I have also started keeping a notebook and pencil on the table as sometimes just getting those thoughts out of my head helps to relax me!
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hylabrook1
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I'm right there with you both, Sarah and Alison! Reading is essential to sleeping.
Peace,
Nancy
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Barbara C.
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Nursing is prime reading time for me. I used to read while the kids played in the tub (outside of splash vicinity). Sometimes I still do, but not as often.
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SuzanneG
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Cay Gibson wrote:
| For myself it's every night. Every single night. Often late. Often at midnight. Just me and my nightlight. And at Adoration or sitting in waiting lines, waiting rooms, etc. But I prefer in my bed at night. |
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Me too. At night in bed, almost every night.
On weekends when DH is around I escape to the basement, outside, or in the van for 30-minutes or so.
If it's fiction that I just CAN'T PUT DOWN, then I'll read in the living room during the weekend, surrounded by the chaos....but it has to be a really good book for me to be able to do this.
If it's "just perusing" then sometimes I'll skim books during quiet time in the afternoon, when the kids are TRYING to be quiet or listening to a book-on-tape.
When DH is home, a couple times a month we'll read in the living room together after the kids go to bed.
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Natalia
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I read at night. Every single night, it doesn't matter how late I go to bed, I HAVE to read. I have done this ever since I was a kid. My dh got me a clip on book light because the light bothers him. Just beware of library books with plastic covers- they are noisy. just ask my dh
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anitamarie
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We have quiet time every afternoon. I read (with my cup of tea) for the first 1/2 hour. (Usually spiritual reading, sometimes I use this time for prayer.) At bedtime it's fiction.
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LisaC
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I read at night after the kids and dh are asleep. Normally my mind can't 'shut down' unless I read first. I am especially successful at inducing sleep if I read something scholarly, such as anything off the Great Books list. The best remedy for insomnia so far has been the Iliad, it put me right out; but I always did have some rereading to do the next night!
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amyable
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I'm a bathroom girl too.  It's really the ONLY time I get - the baby's one nap is the only time we can get any good homeschooling done, so no "quiet" time here. Occasionally I'll be able to flip through something in the evening as dh puts the girls to bed if the baby is playing nicely (rare).
My family must wonder what is wrong with me that I take so long in the bathroom all the time.
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lilac hill
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I am a very light sleeper so when the dog resettles or the hot air blows through the vents, I am up, usually around 2AM or so. It is a good time to read and pray.
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cornomama4
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I remember before I had kids, I would sometimes spend almost the entire day reading in bed or on the couch. I had a lot of down time in the summers between school years, or when I was living abroad and the weather was too crummy for sight seeing. I miss those days very much as I am one who learns by immersion and now I only have time to skim things. Of course I wouldn't trade the reasons for my lack of free time for anything but I am looking forward to a little more "me" time in the next couple of years.
Right now the bathroom is a good time for quick reads, or actually while drying my hair...I usually have the littles in the tub at that time so I'm right there, but they are busy and contained! Right now "my" bed is shared with #4, so I can't read there, but I could have it worse....dh's bed has been the couch for the last 5 years!
cm4
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Topic: When do you make time to read?
