ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN to read AS MUCH as they can, WHENEVER they can, WHATEVER literature it might be! It will help IMMENSELY in their lives!

I'm always surprised when PTA boards are trying to ban literature (suggesting that certain novels contain too much adult subject matter, including sex, rape, violence and bad language).

My parents were Christian conservatives, and they sent me to Bible school and everything while I was growing up. But the only different thing about my household is that they encouraged READING. It didn't matter what novel or philosophy book or religious work or science book I wanted. If I wanted it and expressed an interest in reading it, they would either let me check it out at the library or purchase it, no questions asked.

Among the more gruesome and disturbing novels I read growing up was Stephen King's It as an 11-year-old. Understandably, books like these can be a little harsh on an 11-year-old. But even when I was grossed out, disturbed, or just plain scared to fall asleep at night, the experience of having read a 1,000-page (as well as many others) book at such a young age paid off enormously, because it made me capable of reading and digesting material at a level unparalleled by my peers and others my same age. Now, I'm a professional with a graduate degree who is -- despite the Washington political establishment's best efforts -- gainfully employed. I owe it not to my parent's political or religious beliefs, but to the fact that they realized nurturing my curiosity was the best way forward. They even encouraged rewards for reading the most books, and competitions between me and my sister (who is also a professional in her specialized area of practice).

I'm only saying this because I got into kind of a disappointing conversation/argument with a friend/colleague who felt that there were certain "young adult" novels that should be recategorized as "adult" novels and forbidden in grade school. Of course, I was having none of this, as you can imagine. "You want to prohibit middle school kids from reading young adult novels? Shit, I was reading Stephen Fucking King before I got to middle school." I can't imagine not letting middle school kids read The Hunger Games because of its supposed "graphic content." GTF outta here!

Your kids won't always want to read something you like, and clearly if the material is pornographic you should prohibit them from viewing it. But I guarantee you -- like the material or hate it -- your kid reading CANNOT BACKFIRE ON YOU in ANY possible way. It will only improve your child's life and make them better capable of pursuing their dreams and ambitions.

Also, my parents limited the amount of time I could play Nintendo, Sega, etc. to 30 minutes per day. At the time, it seemed cruel and barbaric, but now I realize that this too was a great idea.

So PARENTS -- DON'T PREVENT YOUR KIDS READING WHATEVER THEY WANT TO READ! Do the opposite -- encourage them to read WHATEVER it is they want to read!!!!!!!!!!!