Bucket Emptying: Raising Children Who Love to Read

In this episode, I’m talking honestly about something so many parents worry about - a child who “won’t read”, says reading is boring, or hasn’t picked up a book in years.

I explain why this isn’t a motivation problem at all, but a skills gap in reading identity, attention, language, and confidence. And once you understand what’s really going on underneath the surface, helping your child become a reader becomes far more straightforward.

I walk you through the wide‑lens view of reading: why some children haven’t yet found the right book, why reading has accidentally become a chore, and why the digital world makes sustained attention harder for every child.

I also share five practical things you can start today to help your child rediscover a love of reading that lasts for life.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:00 - The biggest predictor of academic success

04:03 - Why reading skills matter

08:06 - 5 things that actually help

12:06 - Let your kids read whatever they want

16:38 - Model reading to your children

19:22 - Stop doing these things right now