The Morning Reading Dilemma: Balancing Curiosity and Daily Priorities

I recently bought a book for my son from a second-hand flea market, and it finally arrived yesterday. My son has been diligently completing the homework assigned by his Kumon class. He recently advanced to the AⅡ level, which corresponds to the academic level of lower-grade elementary school students. As part of the curriculum, the last section of AⅡ introduces several recommended books for qualified students.

It’s become a routine for my son to ask me to purchase these recommended books, as the homework only provides short excerpts. Once he finishes reading the passage and answering the comprehension questions, his curiosity gets the better of him. He wants to know how the story develops and what happens to the main characters. Understanding the importance of nurturing his curiosity and improving his comprehension skills, I’ve made it a habit to buy him the books he requests. This time was no exception—I purchased two books, and one of them, 二ちょうめのおばけやしき, finally arrived yesterday.

This morning, he was eager for me to read it to him. Excited by his enthusiasm, I opened the book, only to find myself speechless at its length. I had assumed it might be slightly longer than his usual picture books, but I wasn’t prepared for the 80-page book with minimal illustrations. It was far beyond what I had expected.

Nonetheless, I decided to prioritize his education and began reading with full confidence. However, as I reached the halfway point, exhaustion set in. I was already sleep-deprived from the busy week, and my mind kept wandering to the other responsibilities waiting for me—organizing the house, preparing for the day, and commuting. I humbly suggested we pause and finish the book later when we had more time to focus on it carefully.

To my surprise, my son firmly said “No.” He insisted we finish it in one go. Reluctantly, I continued, enduring the growing sleepiness and frustration. I felt conflicted between supporting his learning and managing my own tasks. After what felt like an eternity, we finally completed the book. Instead of feeling accomplished, I only felt relief.

When I glanced at the clock, I was shocked—it had taken exactly one hour to read the book, during the busiest morning hours. This was time I had hoped to spend preparing for the day. I had even dropped my daughter at daycare earlier to create some personal time, yet that time was consumed by reading a book I had no interest in.

Frustration bubbled up, and I found myself snapping at my son: “You can’t make someone else read such a long book for you in the morning! If you want to read books like this, you need to do it on your own.” My words upset him, and it didn’t help that he was late to kindergarten—a situation we could have avoided if I had been more mindful about managing time.

Reflecting on today’s experience, I realized the importance of carefully considering promises made to children. What seems like a small “Yes” in the moment can have unforeseen consequences. It’s essential to balance your child’s needs with your own time and energy, thinking practically about the situation before committing.

Supporting your child’s learning and curiosity is important, but so is maintaining your personal balance and the smooth flow of daily life. Today’s events reminded me that parenting is about thoughtful decisions, not just saying “Yes” to every request. A more considered approach would allow both parent and child to enjoy the learning process without unnecessary stress or conflict.