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11 Common Reading Mistakes Parents Make (and What to Do Instead)
Manage episode 501968551 series 3652361
You want to encourage reading—but somehow, things keep backfiring. Maybe incentives don’t work, reading time ends in frustration, or you're not sure how much to step in. Sound familiar?
In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook walks you through 11 common mistakes parents make (without realizing it) when trying to support their child’s reading—and what to do instead. With gentle mindset shifts and simple strategy swaps, you’ll learn how to rebuild connection, reduce pressure, and help your child feel more confident with books.
What You’ll Learn:
☑️ 11 things nearly every parent does at some point—without realizing it
☑️ Why traditional rewards and rules often backfire
☑️ Support for building confidence, connection, and progress—your way
⏳ Key Episode Highlights:
[00:00:41] Why bribes, reading logs, and pressure don’t work as intended
[00:01:54] Common reading “mistakes” we all make—and how to rethink them
[00:06:37] What to do instead: visibility, rhythm, connection, curiosity
[00:07:53] One powerful question to ask when reading gets hard
[00:08:28] When to trust the process—and when to seek outside support
[00:9:55] A simple way to boost comprehension (without quizzes)
[00:11:10] Coming soon: low-pressure back-to-school support
[00:11:41] Sneak peek at next week’s episode
📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/08/21/reading-mistakes-parents-make/
📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/lRwOyo6fdnM
✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle—with 164 fun, flexible reading ideas to help your child read their way, on their terms.
📥 Get it here → bit.ly/RBLBundle
📘 Need help getting your child to want to read?
Check out the Create the Invitation to Read Mini Course—a short, practical training that helps you make books feel irresistible (no nagging or bribing required).
📥 Enroll here → https://bit.ly/CTITRminicourse
📙 Struggling with low motivation or confidence?
The Motivating Reluctant Readers Guide helps you use incentives the right way—by matching them to your child’s personality, interests, and type of reading resistance.
📥 Get it here → https://bit.ly/MRR_GUIDE
💜Reset & Read Workshop:
Save your seat today → https://bit.ly/resetandread
🎧Love the podcast? Hit the 5⭐to leave a rating & review!
It helps get this podcast out in front of more moms that need to hear it, so we can help more reluctant readers learn to love books and put an end to the nightly battles around reading!
Resources:
Follow on Instagram
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Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)
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Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel
✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!
Chapters
1. 11 Common Reading Mistakes Parents Make (and What to Do Instead) (00:00:00)
2. Why bribes, reading logs, and pressure don't work as intended (00:00:41)
3. Common reading "mistakes" we all make—and how to rethink them (00:01:54)
4. What to do instead: visibility, rhythm, connection, curiosity (00:06:37)
5. One powerful question to ask when reading gets hard (00:08:36)
6. When to trust the process—and when to seek outside support (00:09:11)
7. A simple way to boost comprehension (without quizzes) (00:10:38)
8. Coming soon: low-pressure back-to-school support (00:11:53)
9. Sneak peek at next week's episode (00:12:24)
22 episodes
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