How to Read the Bible in 2026
As a Busy Mom of Toddlers
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Can 2026 Be the Year You Read the Bible Consistently as a Mom?
If you want 2026 to be your year—the year you actually start reading the Bible consistently—you are in the right place. I believe it’s possible to read the Bible consistently, whatever stage of motherhood you’re in. Whether you’re a mom of two, a mom of four, or a brand new mom, I believe it’s possible and necessary to get in God’s Word daily.
Today I’m sharing some of my best tips so that 2026 can be the year you take this seriously.
Can a Busy Mom Really Read the Bible Consistently?
You probably clicked on this because you’re wondering if 2026 can be the year you consistently read God’s Word, even as a busy mom. My answer is yes—absolutely. It’s possible and necessary in every stage of motherhood.
But first, you need to do two things: get out of the cycle of shame and set yourself up for success.
Get Out of the Cycle of Shame
When I say this, I mean letting go of all the mistakes you’ve made in the past. Psalm 103 talks about God removing our sins as far as the east is from the west. For God, our sins are gone. We are made new in Jesus.
You don’t have to hold onto all the times you said this would be the year you read the Bible and didn’t stick with it. You can let that go.
It’s okay to let guilt motivate you to do better this year, but you don’t need to carry shame. Satan can use shame to keep you out of God’s Word, and I know that because he did that with me for a long time.
I’ve noticed this same pattern in other areas of life, like decluttering. I’ll think I can’t organize one messy drawer unless I have a full day, childcare, and a giant trash bag. Why do we do that? It overcomplicates things.
What’s been working for me is giving myself ten minutes to organize one small space imperfectly and letting that be enough. It’s the same with routines. If I try to make drastic changes all at once, it doesn’t work. Small, sustainable changes do.
Let go of yesterday. Let go of all the times you didn’t read your Bible. Let go of the picture in your head of how Bible reading should look. Start small today and set yourself up for success.
Set Yourself Up for Success
If we don’t set ourselves up for success, it’s not going to happen. We know this from other areas of life. If you don’t buy healthy food, you can’t eat healthy. If you don’t put on workout clothes, you’re probably not going to work out.
Don’t start with an hour-long, intensive Bible study, especially if you have little kids. Start with five minutes, one minute, or even one verse. Build the habit first, then build on it.
Practical Ways to Start
Leave a Bible open on your kitchen counter.
Write one verse and put it on your wall or a chalkboard.
Use verse cards in your bathroom.
Don’t do all of these at once. Pick one small, sustainable option.
I find it easier to tie a habit to a task instead of a time of day. For example, while breastfeeding I’ll read one proverb on my Kindle, or while the kids are in the bath I’ll read a verse before scrolling on my phone.
I also recommend using a physical Bible. Phones are distracting, and I want my kids to see me reading the real, written Word of God. I do read on my Kindle as well, and that works for me, but find what’s sustainable for you.
An audio Bible counts too. Before turning on a podcast while washing dishes, listen to a few verses. And remember, it’s okay to slow down. One verse, read slowly and meditated on, is enough.
Reading the Bible With Kids Around
You might be thinking, My kids always need me. I’m constantly interrupted. That’s normal. God knows your season of life. He isn’t upset if you have to stop reading to help a child.
It can help to tell your kids what you’re doing. Even when mine were very young, I would read the Bible out loud, and it often calmed them. Now that they’re older, I can say, “I’m reading my Bible right now,” and they’re receptive to that.
Just like we teach our kids to wait their turn in conversation, we can teach them to wait while we read God’s Word.
When It Doesn’t Feel Life-Changing
Some days, reading your Bible won’t feel life-changing, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
Like any healthy habit, the benefits come over time. You might not feel a mountaintop experience every day, but slowly, it will change you and turn your heart back toward your Savior.
Final Encouragement
These are some of my best tips for reading the Bible as a busy mom. I have four kids, four and under, and life is full—but not a day goes by that I don’t pick up my Bible.
And if all else fails, start talking about reading the Bible on the internet! It adds a layer of accountability. When I’m tempted to skip a day, I remind myself that this is what I talk about, and I need to hold myself accountable.
A Resource for Toddler Moms
If you’re a mom of toddlers and you’re struggling to get back into God’s Word, I created something just for you. I wrote a devotional called Bible Time, Take Back.
This isn’t hours of in-depth study. It’s 21 days of short, practical devotionals to lovingly guide you back to God’s Word. My goal is never to shame you, but to call you to a higher standard and help you get back to Him..
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