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The Facts of Life

I've been a proponent of honest and clear communication when it comes to talking to my children about the birds and the bees, much to their consternation.  I've used the anatomically correct words for their private parts since they were babies and was surprised when my sister heard me once and gasped.

"I can't believe you just said that!"

"What do you call it?"  I asked.  She told me and I guffawed in superiority.  That is until I visited her in Arizona with my other sisters and she took us to eat at Pei Wei, a Chinese place and I giggled like a 10 year old boy when I kept mispronouncing the restaurant name.  She threatened to drive away without me if I didn't stop it.

Still, I was convinced of my forward thinking until tonight when my baby, my last little child, asked me to explain to him how kissing makes babies.  I choked.  I told him to talk to his dad.  I "um-ed" and "er-ed."  He would not be deterred.  So I punted.

"Well, the dad and mom start kissing and then the dad gives the mom something special." I paused to think then slowly continued.  "He gives her Love.  Yeah.  Love.  And then it turns into a baby."  Then I held my breath and waited.

"Wow!  That's so cool!"

"Yeah," I breathed in relief, "It is cool." 

I've come a long way, Baby.

Comments

  1. Kristina P.January 11, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Haha. Yeah, I'm a big proponent of teaching kids about penises and vaginas. We have an STD presentation in our substance abuse group, and man, it is GRAPHIC. The kids are horrified. Just how we like it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elaine ShandraJanuary 11, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Funny :) I wish my mom had only told me that much when I was that young!

    ReplyDelete
  3. M-CatJanuary 11, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Trying to catch up on it all - and I am inspired by Amy and her efforts.
    Laughing at your resolution list and thinking I may adopt the martyr one for awhile, I can sigh REALLY good.

    And I too, laugh at Pei Wei - if they didn't have such good food!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CountessLaurieJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    So, what you're saying is woo hoo and whoopsadaisy aren't the right words to use?

    And just because my daughters think babies come by magic doesn't make it wrong.

    I am blushing at Kristina's comment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. KlinJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    She punts!!!

    She scores!!!!

    No pun intended, but since it happened . . . .

    I'll be quiet now. I work with teen boys a lot you know . . .

    ReplyDelete

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