Yesterday I was reflecting on the long road I've gone down with teaching reading to my children. I'm super happy and proud with where my older two are, and I feel like I'm making good headway with my youngest who is also a reading struggler.

But it got me to remembering how awful it felt (particularly when I was a first-time mom) to have a developing reader who wasn't as "on target" compared to peers.

So - I thought I'd send a little bit of encouragement to you Mamas who might be feeling as I did and to remind you that you are far from alone.

(Also, after you read the article, be sure to receive (free of course!) THIS LIST of resources I laid out for you to help your struggling reader, including great articles of encouragement, where/how to find the right tutor, books to read, apps to use & even a list of terms you may need to know on your search).

Kids struggle in reading all the time - it's not uncommon!

But even when your Mommy brain can tell you that fact, your Mommy heart is probably worried.  I've been there! I have had struggling readers as a parent who came out shining on the other side, and another who is struggling as a young reader at the time of the writing of this post.

Here I'll lay out a few of the feelings I've had as I've struggled alongside my kids, and hopefully it will be helpful to you. 

So here they are:  5 things you may feel as a parent of a struggling reader (or at least I have at times!).

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1. Worried - My child can't read at 8! (Or whatever age!)

When your child starts to show signs of lagging behind the other kids in class, or you read articles and lists of "where your child should be", and your kiddo doesn't meet up to it, it starts to worry you!

It's natural of course, to be watchful for your child to be hitting his milestones on time, but with so much information at our fingertips and the expectations we have for our kids, the more we furrow our brow with concern when our own child is out of the norm in an area.

Thoughts of "What if she'll never graduate?", or "What if she has dyslexia?" permeate our mind as on and on our imaginations go.

Here's what I always tell my kids and I'll say it to you in case you need a reminder 🙂 

Talk to yourself about the worst case scenario. What if your child does have dyslexia? Is that really the worst of the worst that could happen to your kiddo?  No! So much no! It's would be a hurdle - true! But it's not one that you asked for, and not one that you could have controlled.

If it IS true, then believe me friend, you got this. Take a deep breath. Your worries can't add another day to your life or change that there are going to be difficulties along the way, many of which will touch your child.

Let it go and take it one. step. at. a. time. Worry schmurry. Right?

2. Embarrassed - My child struggles with reading comprehension when it seems no one else's does. 🙁 

Isn't it everyone's temptation to look around and compare ourselves to everyone else?

And then when your children are born that multiplies by an infinite number because our kids are a reflection of our own selves: what they are wearing, how clean they are, how smart they are, how well-behaved they are, and how successful they are.

How does it feel when you run into your friends on what was meant to be a quick Target run, and it's summer so your kid hasn't bathed in a week, he's wearing one long yellow and one short black sock and having a colossal temper tantrum?

It feels GREAT I tell you! (NOT!) Not to mention the horde of strangers silently judging you from behind their safe shopping carts, children held in place by their homemade basket cushions. 

Just know - we have all been there. It's going to get embarrassing. I just want to let you in on the fact that every Mom has been completely humiliated at some point by their kid (if they're not, they're lying and/or too embarrassed to tell you). But I guess that a good dose of humility is good for the soul. 

Here's the thing with a struggling reader..  Gradually your child is going to also feel that embarrassment as he notices the reading level of others if he is behind.

And that worries you to no end. So as parents, we have to get over our own embarrassment and begin the good fight to help our kiddo.

Walk into that teacher's conference with your head held high, ready to listen and act. Whether you are a homeschool mom or a private public school mom, arm yourself with information and outsource when needed. And then.. go a step further and find a way to be an encouragement to other parents of struggling readers.