Back-to-School Chaos: Why Reading Feels Harder Right Now

Back-to-school season brings new routines, earlier mornings, and after-school exhaustion—and for many families, reading is the first thing to fall apart. If your child is suddenly resisting or your once-steady reading time feels impossible, you’re not alone.

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares real-life stories of reading resistance, shifting schedules, and messy evenings to show you why reading feels harder during busy transitions—and why that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. With gentle reminders and a dose of encouragement, you’ll walk away ready to hit reset without guilt or pressure.

What You’ll Learn:

☑️ Why resistance during busy seasons is normal—not a sign of failure

☑️ How after-school exhaustion impacts reading time

☑️ Simple ways to notice “sparks” even when routines fall apart

☑️ Why messy reading moments still count (sometimes even more)

☑️ How to let go of guilt and give yourself permission to reset

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:00:25] Why back-to-school shifts make reading feel harder than it should

[00:02:05] Afterschool restraint collapse explained (and why kids resist)

[00:03:12] Finding a rhythm that works with your family’s schedule

[00:05:00] When resistance shows up suddenly—and how to respond

[00:06:30] Why resistance is a signal, not laziness

[00:08:30] Wins worth celebrating (even when expectations fall short)

[00:10:00] The guilt spiral parents face when reading doesn’t go as planned

[00:12:07] What you really need: flexibility, kindness, and a reset

[00:13:11] Sneak peek at next week’s episode

[00:13:46] Reset & Read Workshop

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/09/11/back-to-school-reading-struggles/

📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/sFwgmULY8_Q

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle—with 164 fun, flexible ideas to help your child read their way, on their terms.
📥 Get it here → https://bit.ly/RBLBundle 

🎟️ Reset & Read is now available as a replay!
 If reading still feels hard even after school has started, this workshop will walk you through how to rebuild your reading rhythm—without the stress.
🎟️ Grab the replay here → https://bit.ly/resetandread 

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It helps get this podcast out in front of more moms that need to hear it, so we can help more reluctant readers learn to love books and put an end to the nightly battles around reading!

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