How I Handle “Adult” Content in My Kids’ Books

It really doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing thing.

From the beginning, let’s be clear: I do not support your book bans. I was shocked to find out I knew a real-life book banner, and I literally own a t-shirt denouncing the behavior.

I am also a parent, former homeschooler, and former classroom teacher who practices a religion that is often associated with “conservative” behaviors.

In other words, I do not support book bans, but I run in some circles where the conversation runs hot and I’ve heard all the reasons and the opinions.

My children are all still children — ranging in age from eight to sixteen — and still in K-12 public schools, but I’m not a brand-new mom of an infant opining about things beyond my experience. I’m in the thick of it, parenting-wise.

I allow my kids to read whatever they want, whenever they want.

I don’t curtail their reading. At all.

I do, however, advise them on their reading choices.

Our home has five six-foot bookcases in our living room. The bottom shelf on each case is full of picture books and early readers (we finally outgrew the baby board books and lift-the-flap activity books and had those recycled). The next shelf up is filled with chapter books and lower-middle-grade books. Beyond that comes G-rated romances and historicals aimed at an…