I Call Shenanigans On One Aspect Of This UK Survey About Reading Kids Bedtime Stories

I can believe this story published by our BFF’s The Daily Mail that was conducted by parenting website Mumsnet  (Note to Koa Beck: secure domain name Mummyishâ„¢)  that parents sometimes lie about reading bedtime stories to their kids. According to the article:

The poll of 1,200 mothers, conducted by parenting website Mumsnet, found that 44 per cent of parents feel bad about not treating their children to a tale before bed. Full of guilt, 4 per cent said they have lied about the amount of bedtime stories they read.

I can believe that aspect of it, because I’m sure many parents are busy and exhausted and they would rather have a glass of wine and watch TV rather than reading to their kids. As much as I enjoyed reading to my kids I’m sure there was a night or two where I put them to bed without a story. It happens. But what I call shenanigans on is this part of the article:

8 per cent admitting they have bribed their children just to listen to a story.

 

 

Isn’t the bribe the story? Isn’t it like “Brush your teeth and get on your PJ’s and I will read you a story?” At least that’s how it was in my crib.

So, if you have to bribe your kids to listen to a story, what exactly are you bribing them with? If you get to read them Pat The Bunny you will buy them a pony? I don’t know about you guys, but if ever my kids pulled any action like acting like reading a bedtime story together was akin to cleaning their room or some other despised-by-children chore I would have sent them to bed with NOTHING. Sheesh. I find this very hard to believe, because cuddling and stories are the best and finding out exactly how hungry that caterpillar is was one of the best parts of childhood.

(Photo: Everett Collection/shutterstock)