WARNING....THIS POST CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT THAT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUNGER AUDIENCES! (just joking)
I was reading one of the many books on parenting that I have by Dr. James Dobson and in one of his books....I can't remember which one.... he emphasizes the point that toddler boys around the age of three should stop taking baths/showers with their mom and start showering with their dads in an effort to identify with being a male rather than a female. I accepted his theory, but only when it was convenient for me. In other words, in a time crunch I still throw my boys in the tub or shower with me for the sake of convenience. But let the world know that I'm done! Here's why:
A conversation while showering with Evan.......
Evan: Mommy, how do you pee?
Me: TOTALLY IGNORING HIM IN HOPES THAT THIS CONVERSATION ENDS BEFORE IT STARTS
Evan: MOMMY, WHERE'S YOUR PENIS!
Me: Evan, boys have penises and girls have a vagina.
Evan: Mommy, what's a vagina?
Me: for lack of anything better to do.......I pointed down south (not smart)
Evan: Well where's your scrotum?
Me: Girls have a labia, not a scrotum.
Evan: Why
Me: It's just how God made us!
Evan: pondering....pondering....Oh!
I didn't know how to end this conversation that went on it seems like forever!!!!!!! I wanted to just say.....GIRLS HAVE INNIES AND BOYS HAVE OUTIES! and leave it at that but I started down the slippery slope of being anatomically correct so I couldn't turn back now! I like to think of it as setting the stage for open and honest conversation that will last into their teenage years and beyond. I want my kids to feel like they can talk to me about anything and trust that I will be honest with them. So although I wanted so badly not to be having a conversation about penises and vaginas with a 4 yr old preschooler, I know that I'm setting the stage for open and honest communication!
2/28/09
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I can see it now. Evan is going to blurt out in the most unlikely place..."Girls have a vagina and boys have a penis!" But I like and admire what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteI knew shower time with Daddy was over when our oldest grew to about 3 feet... I caught her staring at what was directly eye level in the shower while Daddy was rinsing shampoo. Then she peed all over herself and the floor while trying to "stand up and potty like Daddy". I like your honesty, as uncomfortable as it can be.
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