Why fewer parents are reading aloud—and how to bring it back in a way that fits real life.

A mother and her young daughter cuddled together on a plush bed, both looking at a colorful picture book as they share a calm bedtime reading moment

Reading aloud to your child is one of the most powerful ways to create calm and connection at the end of the day.


It’s not about ticking off a developmental or literacy milestone.
It’s about presence and connection at the end of the day.
It’s about anchoring your child in the safety of your presence your voice and the bond during your time together.

But here’s the truth: this beautiful tradition is quietly fading.

Fewer families are reading aloud than ever before

A mother in a pink top and jeans sits against a blue headboard on a white bedspread, holding an open picture book as her two young sons snuggle close—one clutching a teddy bear—while they all look at the illustrations together.

Recent reports show a clear decline:

  • Only 41% of children aged 0–4 are read to frequently. That’s down from 64% just a decade ago.
  • Gen Z parents are less likely to enjoy reading aloud, with 28% saying they dont enjoy reading out loud and see it as a chore.
  • And a gender gap has opened too—44% of girls are read to daily, compared to just 29% of boys

I know it’s not that parents don’t care.
It’s that we’re stretched thin. We’re tired. And sometimes, reading one more book feels like one more thing before we can finally relax at the end of an already very long day. 

But here’s the thing Research on Bedtime Reading and Children’s Sleep

A young Asian mother in a striped shirt sits on a sofa at night, gently stroking her daughter’s head as the girl in a yellow top lies with her eyes closed on her lap, listening to the story from the open book the mother holds.
  • Improved Sleep Duration: A study found that preschoolers who were read to at bedtime experienced longer total nighttime sleep compared to those who weren’t. (Sleepopolis.com)
  • Enhanced Sleep Quality: Regular bedtime routines, including reading, are associated with better sleep outcomes in young children, such as earlier bedtimes, reduced night wakings, and increased sleep duration. (American Academy of Sleep Medicine)
  • Emotional Regulation: Bedtime stories can help children feel more relaxed and secure, leading to better sleep and emotional well-being. (Psychreg.org)
  • Reduced Daytime Fatigue: Children with consistent bedtime routines, including reading, were less likely to be tired during the day. (cdc.gov)

So what if we made it easier—and more personal?

Here’s how to make reading work for your family

1. Create a growing story with your child (with a little help from ChatGPT)

You can ask ChatGPT to write a short bedtime story featuring your child’s name, their favourite toy, and even the little events of their day.

Every night, the story can grow.

You can make it silly. You can make it sweet.

You can co-create it together as your own special family tradition.

A smiling mother leans over her young son on a sunlit couch, holding an open book as he lies back on a pillow and follows along with the story.

This gives your child something to look forward to—not just a book, but their own world to step into with you.

Example prompt: “Can you write a bedtime story about four-year-old Noah and his dragon named Pickle who doesn’t like brushing his teeth?”

Every night, ask your child for some prompts for tonight’s bedtime story, add them to your GPT app, then print it off ready to read that night. This helps promote excitement for the story they’ve created, sparks their imagination for planning the next one, and creates beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Imagine adding one prompt a day for a whole year, creating a unique story every day for 1-5 years, and then saving all of those stories to give to your child years later to read to their own children. The memories of those special times pass on to the next generation.

2. Make your own bedtime picture book

One of my favourite ways to make bedtime smoother is to create a personalised picture book of your child’s actual bedtime routine.

Use photos of them going through each step—from Dinner routine to brushing teeth, hopping into bed, story time, special ways we say goodnight.

A mother and her little daughter sit at a wooden desk covered in markers and a sketchpad; the mother guides her daughter’s hand as they draw together under a red desk lamp beside a potted plan

Turn it into a visual story they read with you each night—seeing themselves as the main character who winds down for sleep. Let’s face it toddlers love looking at themselves as the main character.

Want help with this? You can download my free Bedtime Book Template here and start building your own tonight.

3. Visit your local library

Libraries aren’t just about borrowing books. They can become a weekly rhythm that builds anticipation and choice.

Let your child pick what they want—yes, even if some of them are the same books for the fifth week in a row.

Make it part of your routine:

“We get our new bedtime books on Tuesday!”

A blonde mother in a mustard sweater sits in a cozy wood‐panelled living room, her toddler son on her lap, both focused on the colorful picture book she’s reading

It’s low-cost, low-pressure, and adds variety and fun to reading together for both you and your children.

The ritual of Bedtime Stories.

A mother and her two young children snuggle under a white blanket on the bed; the younger child holds a flashlight that illuminates the picture book the mother is reading, while the older child peers in, all sharing a cozy bedtime story moment.

Reading doesn’t have to look like a picture-perfect Instagram post.

Some nights it may be a few pages and a cuddle. Some nights it’s a made-up story whispered in the dark.

What matters is that your child feels your presence.

That they hear your voice as the last thing before they drift to sleep.

That they feel seen, safe, and connected. They open up to having conversations                  

You’re not just helping them fall asleep.

You’re showing them that you want to spend time with them, building their emotional memory— one story at a time.

Ready to make bedtime easier and more connected?

Download your free Bedtime Book Template and start creating your child’s personalised bedtime story tonight.

Need help creating a routine that works for your unique child?

Let’s chat about a one-on-one consultation that can bring calm, structure, and connection back to your evenings.