This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
What are you encouraging your kids to do regularly?
Though my mother would bed to differ, I DID hold an interest in personal development because why else would I spend hours listening to and reading personal development books?
The money was a motivator, but the books were an enjoyable aspect.
Why am I sharing this story with you?
Because how many parents read, introduce, or entice their kids to read books on personal development, health, and finance at such a young age?
Maybe 1–5% of parents do this, but I was very fortunate that my mother did this; it sparked a fire in me that led to my lifelong commitment to personal development.
Children are products of their environment.
My parents did a lot of things right:
We read books at the dinner table.
My mother required us to read a minimum of 30 minutes daily.
My mother encouraged me to write and publish a book at 11 years old.
My parents introduced us to private, public, alternative, homeschool, and distance learning so we could experience them all. Even if only for a short period, because economics factor into the education equation.
Eventually, we didn’t need the reading timer anymore.
My siblings – especially me and my older one had a natural affinity for reading and continue doing so to this day.
My younger sibling is addicted to education and is on track to become the most formally educated in the family.
Sometimes I would gather a stack of books and read them to my younger sibling.
You can instill a desire to learn into your kids if you continue to expose them to the idea.
My parents did it for my siblings and me, which means they did something right.
Many families don’t eat at the dinner table anymore except around holidays, which provides one of the best opportunities to read books.
Many kids watch videos, play games, or mindlessly scroll the internet on their electronic devices.
Few people are reading.
I’m not criticizing parents, but instead of giving your iPad to your kid when they’re bored, why not give them a book or find a way to mix the two with an educational reading game?
A child’s mind is elastic and ready to soak up whatever knowledge and habits you expose them to; I was exposed to personal development and writing as a kid, which I am amply passionate about today.
And I have my parents to thank for that.
Maybe not all of your kids will appreciate you encouraging or persuading them to read.
I sure didn’t always feel like reading whenever my mother put that thirty-minute timer on, but the habit instilled in me the importance of reading, which is one of the most powerful ways to expand your life, mind, and ultimate success in life.
It is proven that the more extensive your vocabulary, the higher your income bracket. Just saying.
Applied knowledge is power, and the best place to get the knowledge is in books – the one thing that doesn’t seem to go away throughout humankind – no matter how fast technology moves.
My Parents Also Read Books – Be The Role Model
We had an extensive library as kids that continually expanded. Both my parents were avid readers, and we all took on that habit.
Children always watch what you are and aren’t doing.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.