What If My Kids Don't Like Poetry Teatime?

Here are some fresh ideas.

What if your child doesn't like Poetry Teatime?

One of the things I noticed with my own kids was that while routines comfort me, they become redundant and boring to kids. So always feel free to take breaks.

Also, ask your kids for suggestions.

Your kids’ input is vital for a successful home education.

Here are some ideas you might try.

• Would they prefer reading joke books instead of poetry?

• How about listening to a fantasy book?

• Are they interested in creepy crawly things? Read poems about spiders.

• Do they enjoy handcrafts? They might work on them (instead of sipping tea) while listening to you read.

• Head to the local coffee house and let them make a special drink for you and hot chocolate for the kids.

• Invite another family to your home and have teatime together. Pick a theme and divide up the goodies to share.

• Buy a new poetry book and unveil it at your next teatime.

• Buy new pens and pretty paper. Use them to copy poems.

• Let the kids prepare the teatime without your help. They select drinks, foods, poems, and table decor while you take a shower or read a book.

• Weather permitting, move teatime outdoors. Spread a blanket on the grass and sip lemonade. In colder temperatures, build a fire in the backyard, drink hot chocolate from a thermos, and toast marshmallows.

• Have teatime at night or whenever the whole family is present. Make place cards. Light candles. Dress up.

The idea here is to keep experimenting with new options.

Remember, there is no law that requires kids to love poetry. If they don’t, minimize it. Give it a good stretch then a good rest then try again.

Your children will present you with new challenges and new opportunities based on their interests and tastes. It takes a lot of love and energy to meet that demand. But I know you can do it!

Learn more at our Poetry Teatime website and check out our Poetry Teatime Companion as a resource to support you!

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