Alexa open Audible

By bedtime, I’m usually clinging to the last threads of energy, pouring a glass of wine while navigating the usual chaos of pyjamas, toothbrushes, and the mysterious disappearance of the favourite bedtime teddy!  I’ve always loved the idea of reading a story each night, but the reality? Some evenings, the pages blur and I’m stifling yawns before we even get past “Once upon a time…” 

After a day of school runs, child negotiations, snack demands, and work squeezed in around the edges, the idea of reading a picture book aloud (with all the right voices) while sipping a glass of wine just isn’t always realistic.  But stories still matter - perhaps more than ever in our busy, screen-filled lives. So instead of fighting exhaustion or feeling guilty, I found a small solution that works for us. Most nights, I simply ask, "Alexa, open Audible!"

It started off as a stop-gap, a compromise. But what I’ve discovered is that audiobooks are far from second best. That’s why, somewhere along the way, “Alexa, open Audible” became a comforting phrase in our evening routine. And while I used to feel a pang of guilt for swapping storytime snuggles for a soothing narrator, I’ve come to realise it’s not something to apologise for.  In fact, audiobooks are a powerful tool for developing literacy. They nurture listening skills, enrich vocabulary, and spark imagination in a different - but equally magical - way. The right actor can bring characters to life, set the scene with rich expression, and ignite a love for stories that’s just as profound as the one found in turning paper pages.  Because the truth is, it’s not how the story is delivered that matters most - it’s that stories are heard, shared, and remembered. And whether it’s me or Alexa doing the reading, the joy of storytelling is still very much alive in our home.  We now weave audiobooks into the everyday: a short story over breakfast, a chapter in the car, or calming tales during wind-down time. It’s become our gentle bridge to books when I can’t give more, and I've stopped seeing it as a shortcut.

Of course, I still read aloud when I can - but I’ve stopped beating myself up when I can’t. Because when it comes to nurturing readers, it’s not about perfection. It’s about consistency, creativity, and using the tools that help stories reach our children - whether that’s a well-thumbed children’s classic or the familiar voice of a narrator helping little minds unwind after a big day.