When are my children too old for me to read a bedtime story to them?

When is the right time to stop reading to your child?

My best answer is they will let you know.

For example, if your child came to you and said “Mom I’m too old for a bedtime story.” This may be an indication that they are growing up. However this may not mean they are too old for a bedtime story but perhaps, you might want to think about changing the type of stories you’re telling them, which I’ll explain later.

Maybe you can check in with your child and ask them “Do you think you’re too old for a bedtime story?” And let’s say their response was “No, I like bedtime stories with you”.

Their response might be an indication that they still appreciate this one-on-one bonding time before bed.

In both situations it is an opportunity for learning and growing in your relationship, perhaps to do things differently.

For the older child, you could transition away from books and begin to just chat about your day right before bedtime and share personal stories from your own childhood, adolescence, or even adulthood. This special or sacred time can be in the family den around bedtime, as opposed to their bedroom.

Personally, I do not think we can ever outgrow storytime with the family.

The way we tell the story or the venue where the story is told may change, but storytime is sacred to passing on values, bonding, learning, and growing within a family.