https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 01:39:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2290215 Mon, 14 Sep 2015 09:27:40 +0000 skipra 2290215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't do a set number. He will get 1-2 while drinking hisa milk then gets ready for bed. We put on his music which lasts 10 minutes and read whatever books he wants for just that amount of time. When the music turns off we finish the book and it's lights out. I find it helps to have the music so he has a cue when reading time is done. Makes for a very easy transition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2290201 Mon, 14 Sep 2015 09:21:49 +0000 mediagirl 2290201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They will never stop asking for more. Haha. We read about 6 every night. I read 3 in our room, 1 in her room and then my husband reads 2 in her room. She's got us wrapped around that little finger of hers... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2290195 Mon, 14 Sep 2015 09:19:16 +0000 erinbaderin 2290195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always read 3 - I put out a few to pick from, he picks 2, and then we read Goodnight Dragons as a last one (although if he gets bored of this one I'm open to changing it up). I feel like it's good to be consistent so he understands what to expect, but he's only 20 months so he may have no idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2290184 Mon, 14 Sep 2015 09:10:00 +0000 snowjewelz 2290184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only keep 2 books at bed time, otherwise she'd want to read ALL the books. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2290073 Mon, 14 Sep 2015 07:27:50 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2290073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We read 2, and there's no budging off of that number. He'll always ask for more no matter what, but when we tell him "this is the last time" or "only 2 books" then he knows we mean it and he can't negotiate more. The more consistent we were about it, the better he was about not asking or whining for more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2290060 Mon, 14 Sep 2015 06:59:06 +0000 looch 2290060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a specific amount of books, we never did. My son is the type to attempt to negotiate, no matter what it is, so I am always very firm that he can pick the book, but I will decide how much I read. </p> <p>One thing that worked very well for us was to move the reading from the bedroom to the living room. After pajamas are on, we read in the living room and then we go to bed. Otherwise, my son was stalling bedtime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2290047 Mon, 14 Sep 2015 06:45:48 +0000 honeybear 2290047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never committed to a number of books, or a length of time reading at night. We tend to average 20 minutes at bedtime, but I'm not religious about that because sometimes I'm tired! LO has sometimes asked for more when I'm ready to stop reading, but he mostly knows that when I say we're done, we're done. Is setting a strict number as part of bedtime a recommendation by a sleep expert? I'm interested in how the majority here decided to do things this way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2290011 Mon, 14 Sep 2015 04:19:01 +0000 lamariniere 2290011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The number varies depending on length and how tired I am or they are. Usually we aim for 2 books each. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2290009 Mon, 14 Sep 2015 04:11:31 +0000 Pumuckl 2290009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: This is exactly how we handle it too. The more tired he already seems the less (and shorter) books he gets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289981 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 22:45:51 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2289981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: as part of the bedtime routine we are pretty strict about just reading one. Bedtime still takes a good 45 mins most nights and we read at other times too, but I want to stick to one so it doesn't become a stall tactic. If for some reason we do more than one I explain why and say tomorrow it's just one. So far so good but she's only just turning 3 so we'll see... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289956 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 21:33:45 +0000 getjazzy 2289956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually 2, or the same book twice if that's what he decides on but sometimes we do 3. For naps I sometimes cut it to only 1 book, or 1 read through and hem hasn't complained about that yet. Varying seems to work and is handy when we are tight on time! I enjoy book time though which is why I usually cave and read more 😊. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289943 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 21:02:38 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2289943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do three and if he wants one extra then he had to have one less story or song (we have a looong bedtime routine). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289934 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 20:46:48 +0000 daniellemybelle 2289934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We vary the number but LO is too young to really notice, I think (23 months). Some nights it is 2, some nights it is 3 or 4. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289906 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 20:08:59 +0000 Foodnerd81 2289906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually 3- mostly board books. Sometimes less if we are running late, sometimes an extra if she's being super cute. But she will always ask for more, then asks for an extra song. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289901 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 20:03:13 +0000 Bao 2289901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We read 3, they vary in length and sometimes the longer ones we skip parts, luckily she doesn't know yet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289890 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 19:43:23 +0000 lovehoneybee 2289890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We usually read 2 during the week and 3 on the weekends. If he's been really, really good we'll let him choose an extra one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289881 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 19:32:00 +0000 travellingbee 2289881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have a set number. It depends on the length of the book and what time it is. If there is extra time I'll keep reading but if we got a late start then he might only get 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289880 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 19:29:39 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2289880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We read 3. Sometimes she gets a fourth, but she would just want to read forever if we gave her the chance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289862 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 19:01:44 +0000 shellio 2289862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We read 2 to my 3.5 year old, if he cooperates fully with everything during bedtime he can occasionally earn a third. More often, he loses one book privilege so we only read one. I love to read to him but he has really mastered the art of stalling during bedtime and with him being interested in longer books (I'd happily read 10+ board books!) limiting him to two books feels like the only way to keep things moving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/varying-the-number-of-books-you-read-every-evening#post-2289850 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 18:39:58 +0000 mrbee 2289850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually read three books to my daughter before bed, and then she always begs for more. I'm always tempted to read an extra book or two, but then we'd have to read more books every night just to be consistent! I was thinking about upping our nightly books up to 4 or 5, but then the other night Bee read our daughter 9 books and she was still asking for more!! So maybe no number of books would ever be enough...</p> <p>How many books do you read in the evening? Do you read an extra book or two upon request, or do you stick to your standard number? </p>