How to Get your Kids to Read the "Good" books?

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Ron Killian

I was curious if any one has had any success in getting their children to read books such as "Think and Grow Rich"?

Over the years I've tried about everything, including bribing them with money. Nothing has ever worked. Even my oldest or 18, can't get her to read any. I try to explain why, but it doesn't help.

I sure wish some one would have gotten to me read them, probably wouldn't have struggled for some many years.

Any one succeeded?

In my experience, people either gravitate towards self improvement or they don't, and the ones who do usually seek it out on their own. In other words, you can't "make" anybody improve themselves. The desire has to come from within.

I'm not a parent, but I've thought about this same issue alot for when I do decide to have kids. On the one hand as a parent, it's your natural instinct to want the best for your kids and to want them to be happy and successful in life.

On the other hand, as your kids grow up, you have to let them live their own lives (even if it means letting them make mistakes). For me, that means living a successful life and letting them know why I feel it's important, but also that I'll still be here for them no matter what path they take in life.

Thanks

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Chris Lockwood

16 years ago

Tell them that under no circumstances are they to read "Think and Grow Rich". Hide a copy of it where you stash your porn.

They'll be reading it within hours.

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Warrior Markets

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Chris Lockwood

Tell them that under no circumstances are they to read "Think and Grow Rich". Hide a copy of it where you stash your porn.

They'll be reading it within hours.

Brilliant! That should do the trick - just make sure the porn isn't too, erm, 'compelling', such that they become engrossed in it.

-WM

Thanks

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Manu Bhoir

16 years ago

Hi,
I am writing an ebook for children on yoga and general fitness. Basically its a book with lots of colourfull pictures of fun animal shapes.

So the kids enjoy looking at the animals and colours and follow the pictures on the book and dont even realise they are doing exercises.

Thanks

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Ron Killian

16 years ago

Thanks for the replies. Your right, I don't want to "make" them. Guess I thought if I got them to read, by hook or crook, maybe some of it would sink in, even one little idea, or they might take something away from it. Like I said, I wish I had gotten in to books such as think and grow rich earlier.

Ya, maybe I need to try reverse psychology!

Good idea Manu, sure it works wonders for younger children. Mine are a little to older. They stopped watching Barney some years ago..

Thanks

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Abel1337 Banned 16 years ago

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- WebVanity 16 years ago
  
  I agree with Hesaidblissfully
  
  Self help is a very personal thing. Even if they were to read the book, I somehow doubt that they would get anything out of it unless they REALLY wanted to read the literature. From what I've observed, self help is usually quite boring to people who are already satisfied. When people aren't satisfied, they seek self help, and even after they are content, they pursue further.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Kay King 16 years ago
  
  Self help is an area for insecure adults who feel they need to be more than they are and for secure adults who want to see if there is "more" they can be.
  
  Kids and teens already think they are the best - why would they have an interesting stuff like that.
  
  I think it's wrong to try to lead your children to your interests - so much better to help them pursue those things they have interest in. I know the book "think and grow rich" is mentioned constantly but I found it quite boring to read and after a bit went back to a good mystery novel. I know, shocking!
  
  If you show focus yourself on what you like, chances are they will eventually have some interest in knowing more about it - but not if you try to preach it to them.
  
  kay
  
  Thanks
  
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  vorales 16 years ago
  
  Hi There,
  
  Well as far as i think you cant push your children to do what ever they dont want.
  
  I guess u can create a desire as what Napoleon Hill says in the book 'Think and Grow Rich'
  Firstly you should have a burning desire for what job u have opted for should be done sooner or later,secondly you have to find ways to create the burning desire in the children's heart as what they want to achieve in life,you got to find means and ways.
  
  I wish you all the best.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Anita Ashland 16 years ago
  
  I wish How to Win Friends and Influence People was mandatory reading for high school/college kids because it teaches people skills like how to listen.
  
  I have two teens but haven't forced them to read this book or any other book. I'm a compulsive reader myself so, when I can tell they are in the mood for conversation, I often talk about what I'm reading and pass it on that way.
  
  Thanks
  
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Devin T

16 years ago

You cannot force your kids into reading these books..

Ron.. I am 21.. And of course I am not going to listen to everything my parents say, nor am I going to immediately be interested in the subjects that they'd like me to. The best thing you can do is be there as a guide for them.. If you've read the book and really understand it, teach them the lessons the book taught you through just being a good father..

Let them know that the book is there and that you feel it would be a good read for them, but don't pressure them; the more you bring it up, the more resistant they'll become. Hopefully your kids grow an interest in those subjects that you'd like them to, and then you can be a resource for them.

But overall, don't worry about pushing success into their heads... they're either going to have a high need for achievement or not.. you cannot change this. Just prepare yourself the best you can to be a good guide for them..

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Manu Bhoir

16 years ago

OOOPs, Sorry Ron didnt realise they are a bit older, mine is only 4.

Cheers

Manu.

Thanks
1 reply

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creative 16 years ago

If your kids don't want to read that kind of books it doesn't really matter, in my opinion. You can always speak to them about it and show them through your example. This is the most important thing.
It might be easier to show them the fim 'The Secret'.Watching films is sometimes more appealing to kids (and adults) than reading.
You can play games with them, like for example visualizing a parking space and then getting it. It works for me!
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Mark Brian

16 years ago

"incentivize" the kids

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vicone 16 years ago

Devin T has some good and pertinent comments.

Your children will attract the books they require when they are ready to make use of the material.

In the meantime, lead by example and, as they look to you as a role model, you can mention works that you have found to be helpful. Also have copies available for easy access that they can browse through.

A key message they need to appreciate is that you are not trying to get them to change or to conform to your ideas of what is good but are simply helping them to be more of who they really are - but the choices they make and the directions they follow are up to them.

When they don't feel pressured, they may feel more inclined to at least look at your suggestions.

At one point my daughter (in her 20s), who doesn't live with me, was suffering from anxiety, which was affecting a number of important areas of her life. As she resisted the idea of visiting a specialist who could help, I prepared some MP3s wherein I read some scripts which described in vivid detail relaxing scenes that induced deep relaxation.

The scripts finished with a keyword she could repeat that would reactivate the feelings of relaxation whenever she felt stressed or anxious.

She found it much easier to listen to these MP3s in my absence and in her own time than when I (or anyone else wanting to help) was present.

Happily, this worked well and she became more comfortable with situations that had bothered her and the feeling of being more in control was also a good confidence booster.

So it shows parents are not entirely helpless if they approach their children with respect and not as dictators.

Ivan
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Devin T

16 years ago

"So it shows parents are not entirely helpless if they approach their children with respect and not as dictators".

This last statement by Vicone is a very strong one. I believe too many parents try to forcefully mold their children, which only causes tension. They're an individual, and although your presence is strongly needed in their development, it should almost be in a somewhat indirect way when dealing with their development. As a parent, your a great resource for a child to look towards for answers, but you must apply this resource in the correct way.

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dspruyt

16 years ago

Hey Ron, I personally never liked reading books when I was a young kid. Btw, I'm 21 years old.

Anyways, my mum always tried getting me to read but I never did. I usually bought books with very attractive covers, but they stayed that way.. Unopened.

The best books that your child will read are those that have topics which they are interested in. For example, I am very interested in the area of business therefore I read alot of such books. I have never read so many books in my life until I had this interest.

You might want to find out where your child's interests lie before getting any "good" reads for them.

Thanks

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Ron Killian

16 years ago

Thanks for all the replies.

Though many of them seem to be pointing in the direct that I want to force or mold my kids. That is the furthest from the truth. I've never forced them to do anything, nor have I tried molding them into something different. Nor was it the theme of the OP.

I think we would all agree, at times in our life we've done things we were not exactly crazy about, but some times we actually took something away from it, or learned something.

And I sure am not trying to mold them into anything. All three of my kids are very much their own individual persons, actually vary greatly.

Thanks

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MsDebra

16 years ago

Hey, Ron! Kids love stories. There are several success books written in the style of a parable. My daughter once did a book report on The Instant Millionaire by Mark Fisher. She's also read The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. And she loves the Chicken Soup series. She is 22 yrs old now, but she is hooked on inspirational and self help books. Of course I had to "insist" at first. I'm old school. I believe that children should do what they're told. But I believe that the parable will help them relate better.

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Loren Woirhaye

16 years ago

Try taking them to a seminar like Harv Eker's Millionaire
Mind Intensive.

"Think and Grow Rich", as potent as it is, is dated and and
boring to young readers. Transmutation of sex energy is
likely to be misunderstood and thought very weird by youngsters
as well.

Why not encourage them to start their own internet businesses
or whatever so they can cel-phone minutes or nail polish or
video games. If you stop buying crap for them and motivate
them to create their own incomes you may see a shift in thinking.

Thanks

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