Is there a such thing as reading too much?

coasterqueen wrote: Kylie used one of her birthday gift certificates to get some new books at Barnes and Noble this past weekend. She bought three books. She finished an over 100 page book the first night. Yesterday she read and finished a 150+ page book. She started complaining her head hurt. Could she be reading too much and it giving her a headache? This child spent ALL DAY yesterday just reading.

Insanemomof3 replied: Does she wear glasses or need them? Is there enough lighting while she is reading? I don't think that anyone can read too much, I read like that, but I need glasses so I do get headaches because of that.

coasterqueen replied: I had her eyes checked earlier in the year and they were fine. Maybe I should have them checked again. Lighting may be a question as the child never likes the light on and is always trying to use her book light .

MommyToAshley replied: Reading without enough light could cause eye strain, and therefore cause headaches. I got a bright reading light for Ashley's bedroom. She's allowed to read for 1/2 hour before bed, and then I tell her lights out and no more books. It's been a fair compromise and works for us.

I think reading is great and it's wonderful that Kylie loves to read. Ashley does too. But, just like anything else, I think it's important to have balance in life. As long as she's getting enough excercise and social interaction, I would definitely not worry about her reading too much.

coasterqueen replied:
Yeah, she gets enough exercise and social interaction for the rest of her family. Sometimes when she gets a new book she just can't put it down until it's complete. She got more than her fair share of opportunity to do that this weekend since we were stuck at home all weekend with a sickling.

DVFlyer replied: If she's otherwise socially/ physically healthy, I can't see a problem with it.

If it appears she is using books to escape reality, then, of course, it would be time to limit her reading.

mom21kid2dogs replied: I'd vote for plain old eyestrain~goofy girl! Olivia does this, too. Sometimes she just can't put a book down until it's done.

mom21kid2dogs replied:
Shoot! I'm so screwed! I thought that WAS the reason for reading!!!

DVFlyer replied:
As long as you know that's the reason, you pass the Sigmund Fraud test...

luvmykids replied: Ditto to the others, it sounds like eye strain and it happens to me all the time when I get caught up in a book.

When I was a kid I think I did read too much, my parents never pushed me to do anything else and that was literally ALL I did for years....no sports, no friends, no nothing really. In hindsight, it wasn't good, I wish they had made me do other things sooner than they did.

But having said that, I know your girls do have other activities, etc so no I don't think she's reading too much.

moped replied: I think it is wonderful that she is reading so much!

What grade is she in? When did she start reading beginner books on her own? Just asking to compae to Jack, who is trying and sounding out words etc

coasterqueen replied:
She's in 1st grade. She started reading Bob books, and other similar ones at age 5. Started reading level 1/2 books at age 6 (Kindergarten) and reading level 2/3 books/chapter books now. Her teacher tested her at reading a 2nd to 3rd grade level.

kimberley replied: i agree about the lighting. i think reading is a wonderful gift for all of us and should never be discouraged. i was an avid reader as a kid, gave it up in my late teens until last year and had no idea how much i missed it and how poor my own writing had become without it.

MommytoKKC replied: I love to read and I can finish a book in a night or two. If I don't have enough light, my head hurts and i feel kind of like I'm in a daze. I think if I read for too long, it tends to happen also. If she is reading for many hours in a row, that could be part of the reason.

But, you are super lucky, to have such a wonderful reader!