Sorry folks. This has been a crazy week. I know you love the lunacy (why else would you be here?), so:
Friday (3/28): Doggie playdate. WFH. Dexter marathon. Food, coffee, donuts. Dinner at Forbes Mill with Tika to celebrate the closing of the house. Small world experience after dinner:
We were stopping at the Apple Store in
So, I said, “Are you FCE’s, younger brother, D?”
He was, understandably, confused and a little worried. I explained that our moms had worked on volunteer stuff together, and we got caught up. It doesn’t feel small worldy when you live in the town you grew up in, but I know that FCE is married and living in
Saturday (3/29): Oversleeping. Exchanging the intermittently ringing phone for a new one. Plying at Purlescence. Niece’s 13th bday party. Twister. Candid speech:
I have four sets of in-laws, and two sets were at the bday party. The kids range from almost 16 down to 8 years old. The older girls were baiting the youngest, who flounced over to me and asked, very clearly:
“What is a virgin?”
“A what?” I thought I had heard her incorrectly.
“A VIRGIN. What is it?” Nope, I heard that right.
“It’s someone who hasn’t had sex yet. Why?” I answer honestly, and then follow her back to where the girls are sitting, discussing the very interesting topic of sex and virginity.
The conversation goes a few places, and one of the SIL’s is there, and we’re answering their questions. Halfway through this Q&A session, I realize that my other SIL (#2) is going to murder me for being honest with her kids.
Oh well. I’m of the opinion that children should get their information early so that it has maximum impact on them. Be honest, clear, answer their questions, and hopefully they won’t become parents before they intend to (or contract any nasty diseases).
My SIL2, on the other hand (the not-present one), is of the opinion that not talking to her kids about sex will keep it off of their radar. So, I quietly told her kids that they should ask their parents about these things, and if they still had questions, they could come and ask me. Kids should have someone who is going to be honest with them about the important stuff.
Sunday (3/30): Pedicure at Le Spa,
The SIL (who was the other adult participant in the sex talk) and I start telling SIL2 about the previous night’s discussion. SIL1 paid me the highest compliment by telling SIL2 that I answered the kids’ questions “very anatomically and academically”. Score one for me!
We left the ball a little early, watched Superbad, folded laundry, and spent a couple of hours of necessary prep-work.
I'm hoping to get back on the blogging-more-regularly-about-good-stuff wagon. Stay tuned!
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Forthrightness when it comes to sex is the best answer, I heartily agree.
ReplyDeleteThere was a study that recently came out that showed teenagers who were given very little or no sexual education are much more likely to become pregnant and/or infected with an STD. I'd say "duh", except that I know there are people who need to be shown statistics before they'll believe it. I just wish more kids had adults accessible, who are willing to speak frankly about sex.
Nope, you did good, as a mother of 2 daughters, 12 and 10 I feel the same as you. It's great they can come to you and are comfortable asking questions.
ReplyDeleteGo you! I just added a few of my favorite sex ed resources to my blog a couple of days ago. There's some really great websites for teens out there these days. I'm a volunteer sex educator (on the phone) for a couple of different nonprofits and getting calls from young people always makes my day.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah. I forgot to tell my story about when I tried to find out what "virgin" meant. I was in sunday school in 3rd grade and the teacher kept talking about the virgin Mary. So I asked her what that meant. Several times. And was completely ignored. What did she expect? I think that's what got me started on the slippery slope to godless sex-positive feminist liberal. :)
ReplyDelete