11 Surprising Mistakes Parents Make Around Reading (and What to Do Instead)

Ever feel like you’re doing all the right things when it comes to reading—but your kid still resists, melts down, or shuts off?

Helping kids build a healthy relationship with reading can feel surprisingly tricky—especially when we’re exhausted, worried, or just trying to stay afloat. Sometimes, the things we try with the best intentions don’t land the way we hope. Not because we’re messing it up, but because our kids need something a little different.

It’s easy to slip into what I call reaction mode—where reading becomes one more thing to manage. Maybe the school is sending home reminders. Maybe your friend’s kid is breezing through chapter books. Or maybe your child used to love books… and now won’t go near them.

You love your child. You want them to thrive. And when reading gets hard, it’s tempting to double down with reminders, checklists, or comparison. But those quick fixes often make reading feel like pressure instead of play.

This post is about naming the most common missteps I see (and have made myself)—along with simple tweaks that can bring the fun, freedom, and connection back to reading time.

Mistake #1: Not Having Books Readily Available

Books can’t compete with screens, snacks, or after-school chaos if they’re buried in a bin or tucked on the top shelf. Out of sight really is out of mind—especially for our kids.

Try this instead:

Make books part of your everyday landscape.
Sprinkle them around the house, in the car, by the breakfast table, even in the bathroom. Make reading the path of least resistance. If you want help setting that up, the Create the Invitation to Read Mini Course walks you through exactly how to turn your home into a book-friendly zone.

Mistake #2: Treating Reading Like Another Item on a Checklist

Maybe you’re watching the clock at bedtime. Maybe you’ve fudged a reading log because the battle wasn’t worth it. Maybe your child senses that reading is a “have to,” not a “want to.”

I’ve been there. I’ve skipped reading and backfilled the log. And yes… I’ve filled out a reading log on a night we didn’t actually read, because the meltdown wasn’t worth it. You’re not alone in that either.

But I’ve also learned that waiting for the perfect moment often means it doesn’t happen at all. Now, even on the nights when I can barely keep my eyes open, I’ll still reach for something small. A picture book. A short story. A single chapter. Because I’ve realized that keeping the rhythm matters more than checking the box.

Try this instead:

Shift from checklist to connection.
Reading doesn’t have to look calm or cozy to count. Your child might be hanging upside down on the couch, building LEGOs, or rolling a toy truck across the bed while you read—and that’s okay. Wiggly listeners are still listening. Focus less on the vibe and more on the togetherness.

You can make it feel fresh again with the Reading Bucket List Bundle, full of low-pressure ideas that invite curiosity.

Mistake #3: Correcting Every Single Mistake Mid-Read

This one’s hard—especially when you know your child knows the word. But jumping in mid-sentence with “Oops, try that again” can interrupt the story and chip away at confidence.

I’ve done this more times than I can count. I remember when JD would fly through a book and skip a word—not because he didn’t know it, but because he was excited and rushing. I’d jump in without thinking: “Wait, you missed a word.” Just like that, the confidence was gone. He’d shut down—or snap at me for “always correcting” him—and the moment was over.

Try this instead:

Let the story take the lead.
Unless the mistake truly changes the meaning, let it go in the moment. You can always revisit tricky words later—because protecting their reading confidence is key.

Sometimes I’ll just point quietly to the word instead of saying anything and see if he decides to fix it or keep rolling. And there are other times—like when we’re looking at a school assignment or reading something for class—where I do slow us down to work through the confusion. Those are the teachable moments.

But when we’re curled up at bedtime with a story, I treat that time differently. That’s about togetherness and getting lost in the book—not picking apart every word.

Mistake #4 Pushing Reading Aloud When They’re Not Ready

It’s easy to assume that reading aloud is just part of the process—but for many kids, it feels like a performance. Asking them to read in front of you might come across more like a test than a cozy moment.

I go deeper into this in When Your Child Refuses to Read Aloud, but here’s the short version: reading out loud can feel like a performance. It can trigger all kinds of fears—like messing up, being judged, or feeling embarrassed. Especially if reading has ever felt confusing or hard in the past.

Try this instead:

Offering low-pressure choices that help build confidence over time. 

• Partner reading (take turns reading a page or paragraph)
• Echo reading (you read a line, they repeat it)
• Whisper reading to a pet or stuffed animal

These options create safety and rhythm without putting your child on the spot. The goal isn’t fluency—it’s comfort, connection and confidence.

Mistake #5: Assuming They’re Lazy of Not Trying

When kids avoid reading, it’s easy to think they just don’t care. But more often than not, they care too much—and it feels hard, overwhelming, or embarrassing.

Try this instead:

Get curious, not critical.
Instead of asking, “Why don’t you just try harder?” ask, “What part of reading feels tricky right now?” 

That one question can open the door to support instead of shutdown.

Mistake #6: Only Valuing “Traditional” Books

If you’ve ever thought, “That doesn’t count,” when your child picks up a graphic novel, joke book, or Minecraft guide—you’re not alone.

I used to feel that way too. JD would grab a Dog Man graphic novel, and I’d silently wonder when he’d move on to “real” books. But letting him read anything was the difference between him reading something… or nothing. That shift changed everything.

Try this instead:

Celebrate all reading.
Graphic novels, cookbooks, magazines, eBooks, comics—they all build literacy. If it captures their interest, it counts. Period.

Mistake #7: Taking the Wait-and-See Approach When Skills Aren’t Clicking

Sometimes we hope reading struggles will just work themselves out. And occasionally, they do. But more often, waiting leads to frustration—for your child and for you.

Try this instead:

Trust your gut.
If something feels off, it’s okay to speak up. Getting support early can make all the difference.

Not sure what to look for? Start with this post on raising a reader from the start and this one that walks through reading milestones by grade—they’ll help you spot what’s typical, what’s not, and what to try next.

Mistake #8: Not Modeling Reading Yourself

If our kids never see us read for fun, it’s easy for them to assume reading is just a school thing.

I’m guilty of this too. I’ll scroll my phone between dinner and bedtime, then wonder why my kid grabs his iPad instead of a book. Even 10 minutes with a magazine while dinner’s in the oven can send the message: reading is something grown-ups choose to do.

Try this instead:

Let them catch you reading.
It doesn’t have to be a novel. A magazine, cookbook, or article works. (Need help carving out time? In this post I share how I’ve figured out how to squeeze reading in as a busy mom—without the guilt.)

Mistake #9: Not Reading With Them—Even After They’re Reading Independently

It’s easy to step back once your child can sound out the words. Reading solo seems like the goal, right? You think, They’ve got this!

That’s what I thought too—until I realized JD wasn’t really connecting with what he was reading. He could decode the words just fine… but he wasn’t visualizing anything. He wasn’t making a mental movie. And without that, reading started to feel flat. It stopped being fun.

When I stepped back in and made reading together part of our rhythm again, things shifted. We could pause and talk about what was happening. I could see what clicked, and what didn’t. And he started enjoying books again—not because they were easier, but because the pressure was off and we were in it together.

Try this instead: 

Keep reading together.
Even if they can read on their own, your presence still matters. It removes pressure and gives you a window into how they’re experiencing the story.

If reading still feels like work, they may want that connection more than they let on.

The Motivating Reluctant Readers Guide can help if you’re looking for ways to reignite engagement—especially when motivation is low.

And if you’re wondering how to fit shared reading into your real-life routine, this blog post on why reading aloud still matters has ideas to make it doable (and enjoyable).

Mistake #10: Relying Soley on the School to Teach Reading

Teachers do incredible work—but they’re juggling a lot. One teacher, twenty-something kids, and not nearly enough time to give each child the individual support they may need.

It’s easy to assume that reading instruction “lives” at school. And yes, school is a huge piece of the puzzle—but the kind of one-on-one connection and reinforcement your child gets at home? That’s what helps things stick.

You may not have a teaching background. You may not know all the right strategies. But your presence and curiosity go a long way.

Try this instead: 

You don’t have to do it all—just show up.
Read together. Ask what they’re working on in class. Check in with their teacher about what they’re noticing.

You’re not expected to teach reading from scratch—but you are the expert on your child. When school and home work together, your child feels more supported, more seen, and more confident.

Mistake #11: Assuming Decoding Equals Comprehension

This can catch you off guard. On the surface, it looks like reading is going great—but comprehension is a separate skill. And sometimes kids need help connecting the dots before stories start to feel meaningful or fun.

Try this instead: 

Support comprehension through conversation.
Use the 5Ws and an H (who, what, where, when, why, how) to ask low-pressure questions as you go.

 No quizzes—just talk about the book like you would a movie you watched together. Try:

• “Wait, who is this guy again?”
• “Why do you think she did that?”
• “Would you want to live in that world?”
  

These little conversations provide insight into what your child is understanding—and help them build the muscle of making meaning while they read.

Final Takeaway: You’re Learning Too

Reading doesn’t have to be a battle.

If things have felt tense or stuck lately, you’re not doing it wrong—you’re just in a moment that needs a reset. Even small changes can bring the fun, freedom, and connection back to reading time.

You’re doing the hard, beautiful work of raising a reader—with patience, love, and a whole lot of trial and error.

And just in case no one’s told you this lately: there’s no manual handed out when you leave the hospital. No magic wand that gives you every answer you’ll need from toddlerhood to chapter books and beyond.

Most of it you just have to figure out along the way.
And that’s okay.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep showing up.

And you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m here to help make this part easier—and to walk alongside you as you build something that works for your family.

Resources

Looking for more support? These posts and tools expand on what we covered above.

Motivating Reluctant Readers Guide: If your child avoids reading altogether or melts down at homework time, this guide walks you through practical, connection-first strategies that actually work.

Reset & Read Workshop: Whether you’re starting fresh or making small changes, this workshop walks you through simple, meaningful shifts to rebuild rhythm and connection.

How to Find Time to Read as a Busy Mom (Without Feeling Guilty or Behind): For when you’re craving reading time, but real life keeps getting in the way.

Why Reading Aloud Still Matters—Even After Your Child Learns to Read: How to keep the connection going (even when your child can technically read on their own).

When Your Child Refuses to Read Aloud: What’s really going on when reading aloud feels like a battle—and how to ease the pressure.

Raising a Reader from the Start: What Every Parent Needs to Know About Early Literacy: For parents of babies, toddlers, or preschoolers—or anyone wondering how early literacy really begins and what you can do from the start.

Reading Milestones by Grade: What to Expect in K–4 and How to Help When It Doesn’t Click: If you’re unsure what’s typical or how to help when reading doesn’t come easily, this post breaks it down by grade.

FAQs

My child never picks up a “real book”—just listens to audiobooks or flips through graphic novels. Should I be worried?

Not at all. Reading takes many forms, and when it feels safe, kids engage more. Audiobooks, graphic novels, rereads—it all builds reading muscles and confidence.

What if my child mis-reads a word—should I correct it right away?

Not always. If it doesn’t change the meaning, let the story flow. You can circle back later—without disrupting the moment.

What if I’ve made some of these “mistakes”—is it too late to fix it?

Absolutely not. Small shifts can make a big difference—starting today. You’re not behind, you’re just in the messy middle.

My child hates reading homework. How do I avoid power struggles every night?

Shift the focus from performance to connection. Try reading with them, letting them move or doodle while listening, or breaking it into bite-sized chunks.

How do I help if I’m not a teacher or don’t know what I’m doing?

You don’t need to be an expert. Just show up, read together, ask questions, and stay curious. Your presence is what matters most.