My daughter has become quite an avid reader. And, in the span of a few months, her tastes have gone from middle grade to young adult. More specifically, romance young adult. So, when I showed her my picture listed as one of the writers for my publisher’s website, I got the dreaded question again, “When can I read your book?”
I don’t know, but haven’t you noticed that what used to be rated R is now the new PG-13? Kids are so exposed to the world at such an early age, I don’t think they have a shockability threshold anymore. It’s nothing to turn on the television and even during primetime, find programming better fit for late night viewing…on a paid per view channel. It’s insane how unsettling it’s become to just watch t.v. with your children. And, don’t let the cartoon characters fool you. Those are some of the best disguised, need-be parental controlled venues of entertainment out there.
So comes the question of my 12 year old daughter asking to read my contemporary romance books. No, I don’t have explicit scenes, but there are some tense moments with a bit of detail I’d rather her not imagine I write about, let alone ever imagine, myself. I knew the moment would come that someone who knew me would read something I wrote and think, “hmmm, interesting she’d write that.” I even thought of a pen name to write under for that very reason. In the end I decided to go forth with my name. I knew I’d write nothing that off-the-wall that I’d be embarrassed about, but still, my daughter? Maybe when she’s a few years older I’ll allow her to read one. I think between the both of us, there’s enough modesty to keep the tricky parts as something we’ll not discuss at length at the dinner table:)
I agree that TV has become outrageous these days. We don’t even watch TV as a family besides the local news for weather and traffic and maybe a few select programs. My son is doing much better with his speech, but he picks up on the commercials so fast. We don’t take him to movies yet. I’m sure he’ll be a reader once he learns how😊
Children are certainly sponges! So much of what they watch can influence them, for sure. I know you can’t wait until he can read:) It’s an amazing skill to tackle. I remember when I learned, I enjoyed reading all the signs I could; riding in the car and shopping in the grocery store with my mom. It’s so liberating to know what all those letters represent!