How to Find Time to Read as a Busy Mom (Without Feeling Guilty or Behind)

When was the last time you read for you—not to your kids, not a school newsletter, not your um-teenth scroll through Instagram—but really got pulled into a story that you couldn’t put down?

If you had to think about it, you’re not alone.

As moms, we’re always reading to someone else. But reading for ourselves? That often gets pushed to the bottom of the list—somewhere between “fold the laundry” and “figure out what’s for dinner.” The truth is, reading for pleasure doesn’t have to be a luxury or an extra task. It can be a form of self-care that fits into your real life—and it can have ripple effects that benefit your whole family.

Why Moms Need Reading Time Too

Reading might feel like a luxury—something you squeeze in if there’s time. But it’s actually one of the few things that can help us reset and show up as the mom we want to be. The mom with a little more calm, a little more patience, and feeling a lot more like us, not the frazzled mess we sometimes turn into while juggling all the things.

It’s not about checking off chapters or finishing an entire book in one go. It’s about having a moment to breathe, to think your own thoughts, and reconnect with the parts of you that exist outside of laundry, lunchboxes, and “Mom, can I…?” or “Mom, I want…” or “Mom! Mom! Mom!”

When we carve out even a few minutes to read, it can shift how we show up for our families. We parent differently when we’re not running on fumes—less reactive, more present. And reading can help us get there.

And your kids…they notice.

When they see you reading—not scrolling, not rushing, just having a calm moment of fun—they see that books matter. Reading isn’t just something school makes you do. It’s something grown-ups actually choose to do. And that matters.

Sometimes that leads to unexpected conversations. My boys have asked about the stories I’m into, or what kind of book I’m reading—and just like that, we’re connecting. It’s not forced, it’s not planned, and it’s not deep or educational. Just a story, a little curiosity, and a quick chat.

How Do You Actually Find Time to Read? (Even with a Full Schedule)

You don’t need hours. You need pockets—little moments you can claim for yourself. Those small windows of time really can add up.

Here are a few places to slip in some reading:

☕ Reading at the Breakfast Table

If mornings are hectic (same here), this probably won’t happen every day—but when there’s a little breathing room, even 5-10 minutes at the breakfast table can be a great chance to read while enjoying your morning pick me up (tea for me, maybe coffee for you?)

It’s not just quiet time for you—it’s a way for your kids to see you reading while they’re eating or flipping through a book of their own. 

This works especially well on slower weekend mornings or those rare, surprisingly calm school days (you know, those unicorn mornings!). 

Bonus: it’s one of my favorite ways to start the day screen-free without having to make it a whole thing.

Want more ideas like this? Read about how to set up reading-friendly spaces like the breakfast table in my 5B’s post.

🚗 Waiting for School Pickup

Whether you’re in the car line with the engine running or waiting outside the school like I do (my boys are “walkers”), this can be the perfect time to sneak in a little reading. Bring a book to read on a bench or listen to an audiobook while you wait. 

It’s a few quiet minutes before the after-school chaos kicks in—and it’s usually the reset I need to get me through the evening without blowing a gasket. Plus, it just feels good to do something just for yourself.

🧺 Audiobooks While You Do… Anything

Laundry. Dishes. Walking the dog. Cleaning the house. Exercising. These don’t exactly spark joy—my secret weapon is to pair them with a good audiobook. Instant task upgrade. 

It’s multitasking at its finest. You get the job done and squeeze in a book you’ve been dying to finish. No carving out extra time needed. You don’t even need free hands or total silence—just your earbuds and a story.

Bonus: audiobooks are perfect for slow readers (hi, it’s me!) or for flying through a story you can’t wait to finish. You can even adjust the playback speed to match your brain’s pace.

🌙 Bedtime Reads

Reading at bedtime is a favorite for a reason. It’s quiet, the day is done, and you’re finally not being pulled in a million different directions. 

Instead of scrolling or binge-watching late into the night, try ending your day with a physical book. Ten minutes of reading can calm your mind, improve sleep, and feel like a small but meaningful win—especially after a long day of chasing kids around. 

Just one note: if this is your main reading time, try to sprinkle in a few other moments here and there when you can—so your kids get to see you reading. That visual matters more than we often realize.

What If You’ve Hit a Reading Slump?

We’ve all been there. Life gets busy, or you finish a book that didn’t quite do it for you, and suddenly, you’re watching TV again instead of reading. That’s okay. Reading slumps happen—but here are a few ways to bounce back:

🔁 Reset Your Rhythm

Switch formats: try an audiobook or a graphic novel.
Change genres: move from historical fiction to romance or mystery.
Set a small challenge: like “10 pages a day” or “one chapter before screens.”

🎯 Add a Little Motivation

Sometimes I bribe myself—no new book from my TBR list until I’m ¾ through the one I’m on (although if you’re not loving a book, it’s totally ok to quit). Or I make a rule: no show until I’ve read today. 

Honestly? I usually end up reading until bedtime and skipping the show completely.

🤝 Find a Reading Buddy or Book Club

Knowing someone else is reading the same book can make the experience more engaging and help you stay motivated (plus, no spoilers!). Even texting a friend about a book you both love can keep the momentum going. 

Need to find a reading buddy? Drop a post in the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe and see if you’ve got any takers!

⏸️ Or… Take a Break

Yes, really. Sometimes you need a little space to miss reading. That way, when the right book finds you, it feels like coming home again.

💡Need Fresh Ideas to Make Reading Feel Fun Again—For You?

The Reading Bucket List Bundle was designed with kids in mind, but honestly? A bunch of the ideas work just as well for grown-ups—or at least offer some much-needed inspiration. It’s full of low-pressure ways to change up how, where and what you read—perfect if you’re stuck in a slump and want to shake things up.

When the Right Book Finds You…

I remember being totally burnt-out last spring—school events, birthday prep, summer camp plans—it was all too much. Reading fell off the radar completely.

Then, on a routine library trip, I found Meet Me in London. It was light, romantic, a little dramatic—and exactly what I needed to fall back in love with reading. One book turned into a whole series, and suddenly I was back in my groove.

The right book at the right time can change everything.

And if you’re not sure what book that might be for you, you’re not alone. Finding books you actually want to read is half the battle. I shared a bunch of tips in this post about helping your kids find their just-right books—and honestly, those same ideas apply to us, too. Think about what you enjoy: stories that make you laugh, characters you relate to, or settings you want to escape into.

You can also try typing something like “books similar to [a book you liked]” into Google—or yes, even ask ChatGPT for ideas! Once you’ve got a few titles, Goodreads is great for checking out reviews and seeing what other readers thought before you commit.

And of course, if you’re still stuck? Ask in the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (whether it’s ideas for you or your child). There’s always someone ready with a great recommendation.

Show Your Kids What Reading Looks Like

A quick story: this past fall, after a stretch where I wasn’t reading much again, I picked up I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912—yes, from my son’s book fair at school. JD saw me reading it and asked, “Isn’t that a kids’ book?”

I told him, “Stories are for everyone.”

We ended up reading it together. And then book after book from the series. And before I knew it, he was grabbing the next title on his own. One day he told me he’d already read the first ten chapters in I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 without me—and yes, that stung a little! But mostly, I was proud.

Our kids watch more than they listen. When they see us reading—for fun, because we want to—it leaves a much bigger impact than a thousand reminders to “go pick out a book.”

But it’s not just about modeling reading for fun.

It’s also about showing them what self-care looks like.

When they see us choosing to read instead of powering through more to-dos or zoning out with a screen, they’re learning that taking care of ourselves matters too. Reading can be a simple, affordable reset—something we do to recharge our batteries and show up in a calmer, more present way.

It’s a message I hope sticks with them: that self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential.

So read in front of them. Talk about what you’re reading. Let them see that stories can be a comfort, an escape, or a way to rest—not just something that shows up as a school assignment.

You Don’t Have to Read Perfectly—You Just Have to Start

This isn’t about checking titles off a list or powering through a book in a weekend. It’s about reconnecting with yourself, the things that make you you—outside of laundry and lunchboxes.

So pick something that sounds fun. Set a 10-minute timer. See where it takes you.

Even if all you read is a page before you nod off or get interupted—it still counts.

Because every time you choose to read, you’re not just filling your own cup—you’re quietly showing your kids how to fill theirs, too.

RESOURCES

•📱 Libby, Hoopla, OverDrive – Free audiobooks and ebooks with a library card
•🎧 Audible Free Trial
•📖 Kindle Unlimited – Access to thousands of books for one monthly price
• 📚 Kobo – A clean, user-friendly app for reading eBooks and audiobooks—great if you want an alternative to Kindle.
•⏱️ Bookly – Track your reading time, set goals, and get gentle reminders to help build a consistent reading habit.
• 🌟 Goodreads – Log your reads, explore book reviews, and find your next favorite title—perfect when you’re not sure what to read next.
• 👩‍👩‍👧 Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

FAQs About Finding Time to Read as a Busy Mom

How can I find time to read when my schedule is packed?

Start by looking for small pockets of time—10 minutes before bed, while waiting in the pickup line, or during chores with an audiobook. Reading doesn’t have to mean sitting down for an hour with silence and tea. Think small and flexible.

What kind of books should I read to get back into the habit?

Start with whatever sounds fun! Feel-good fiction, memoirs, short story collections, audiobooks, or even middle grade books from your child’s shelf. The easier and more enjoyable it is, the more likely you’ll stick with it.

Are audiobooks “real reading”?

Absolutely. Besides, they make it easier to fit stories into your day. They’re especially helpful if you’re multitasking or if you find that your reading pace is slower than you’d like.

What if I just can’t focus long enough to read?

Try lighter reads, audiobooks, or graphic novels or short stories to get back into the rhythm. You could also set a short timer (5–10 minutes) to help you stay present without pressure.

How does reading for myself help my kids?

When your kids see you reading, it normalizes the idea that reading is for everyone—not just students. It also models self-care, curiosity, and healthy screen-free habits. You don’t need to make a big deal out of it—just read where they can see you.