Yay, the sim daddy got a promotion to Ufologist (level 6) and just got back home.
When he opened the bookcase and clicked on a child's book, the Read to.... option reappeared!!!
So I'm confirming ClayMask's point about the lightbulb icon preceding specific activities (weed, water, tinker, observe sky, etc) disappearing once you max breakthroughs for your current Scientist level. It reappears after the next promotion.
@Playalot, by "lightbulb icon," i mean the little lightbulb image that appears when you click on objects that may possibly lead to a breakthrough.
For example, when you click on a plant, you'll see a little lightbulb icon preceding the options Water and Weed.
I'm unclear how (or why) the availability of the lightbulb icon is related to the "Read to child" requirement, but thank you both for explaining the mechanics related to breakthroughs and career level.
Now the scientist daddy can proceed to complete his Big Happy Family aspiration in my experimental save file.
Much appreciated!