Have you ever watched little boys having fun together? I cannot tell you how many times I have seen kids pointing and laughing at each other’s butts because they shared a butt joke and found it hilarious. I have a daughter and two sons, and I’ve noticed a clear difference in what they find amusing — especially when it comes to humor picked up from friends. My daughter has never shown much interest in potty talk or found it particularly funny. My boys, on the other hand, can hardly contain their laughter when they hear jokes involving farts or “butt talk.” While we’ve made it a rule in our home to avoid that kind of language, I can’t always control what they’re exposed to outside our family. And honestly, that’s what has prompted me to reflect more deeply about why we don’t have to be pulled into books with potty humor just because they are popular.
Some would say potty humor is harmless — just silly fun. But as a family seeking to raise children with respect for their bodies and words that honor God, we believe it’s worth asking whether these kinds of jokes are truly innocent or if they shape how our children view themselves and others.
As a Christian mom, teaching our children to use clean and respectful language isn’t just about manners — it’s about honoring God. What we watch, read, and listen to often is what we end up storing in our hearts. I have personally seen this with many children who struggle to separate what they read from how they interact with the world. For example, it is common today for kids to laugh when they fart without a second thought, rather than respond with courtesy or self-awareness. I’ve also seen kids personify their butts for entertainment.
Raising Kids for Christ
In Luke 6, Jesus uses a powerful picture to help us understand this. He says that a healthy tree doesn’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit. Just like trees are known by the fruit they bear, people are what they put in their hearts. “A good person,” He says, “produces good from the treasure of their hearts and minds… for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” That’s why it matters so much what we encourage our children to consume.
Another verse I love and always remind my kids is Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” This is true for any situation. How do we bless others with our words? Remember that when we encourage our children to speak honorably, we are helping them form habits that reflect the character of Christ.
When we speak and laugh at our private parts, we are also dishonoring our body and sometimes causing harm and hurt to others who hear it. When children are young, it may seem innocent, but soon they’ll see how the world often puts an unhealthy amount of focus on the human body — especially on private parts. This kind of attention can be confusing or misleading. That’s why it’s important for us, as parents, to teach them early on that these parts of their body aren’t something to be laughed at, but something to treat with privacy, care, and respect.
Lastly, clean humor can be funny too. This week, my kids brought home their writing journals from school, where they free-write on various topics, most being creative writing. I laughed so hard reading some of their pieces that were so innocent, yet witty with clever storytelling. Let’s teach our kids that we can have fun and humor without laughing at our private parts. I rest my case with this last thought.
6 Tips For When You Can’t Pre-Read Everything
Although I try to pre-read as many books as I can for my kids, it’s not always possible to keep up. That’s why it’s so important to equip our children with the tools to choose books wisely by using discernment, good judgment, and a clear understanding of our family’s values.
Here are few ways you can help them pick good books.
- Try pre-reading portions of a book, or even just the first book in a series, to get a sense of the content.
- Look up reviews on sites like Goodreads, Common Sense Media, PluggedIn, or Amazon — and share what you find with your child, especially if they’re insisting on reading something you’re unsure about.
- Join a Facebook group for reviews. I recently found a group Book Reviews for Christian Families, where moms typically ask for reviews on books and there is a community of others who offer great feedback and flags books that don’t align with Christian values.
- Encourage open and honest conversations about what they’re reading. For example, I recently let my 8-year-old read a book and then talk me through what he thought was good or concerning about it. In the end, I asked him to decide whether it was truly worth finishing — and he made a thoughtful choice.
- If you have an older child who understands your values and has good discernment, consider asking them to skim a book for you.
- Most importantly, talk with your child about what kinds of content they should recognize as not aligning with your family’s values, and encourage them to come to you when they’re unsure.
What they can read instead
Ben Yokoyama instead of Diary of Wimpy Kid.
I am going to give credit to Libraries4kiddos for this recommendation. I picked up a copy of Ben Yokoyama and the Cooklie Thief and was hooked. Now I am on book 4 and my kids have a better book to read. In this book series, Ben Yokoyama, a 3rd grader, and his best friend Janet (my favorite character if you ask me), go throughlife with their own problems and learn how to solve them, all while learning how to make the right choices. So far, I have not come across anything I would not let my kids read. The message is positive, the outcomes are positive, and the stories are witty and funny.
Sam Wu instead of Captain Underpants
I asked my son to read this book and give me a review. His overall analysis was that the book was alright. He flagged a few things that I wasn’t too concerned about. This series is both funny and witty, and it follows a boy named Sam who is brave—except when it comes to all the things he’s afraid of.
InvestiGators instead of Dogman
I recently came across this graphic novel and decided to check it out. It follows a team of animal agents who slew around and solve strange cases.
Looking for more recommendations?
Try these series with your kids.
Zita the Spacegirl – This is an action-packed graphic novel series about a brave girl who’s pulled into space through a portal and becomes an hero while trying to rescue her friend. I only read one book and thought it was a great alternative.
Bird and Squirrel – This is a series that involves an anxious squirrel and a fearless bird who embark on wild adventures while learning the value of friendship and balance.
