Comments on: birds and bees: a cautionary tale

By: Judy

Judy — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:15:08 +0000

I was just giggling as I read your story. Been there. So many times! OMG, so funny!! I’ve learned to ask before launching, but it took me years. And they love to ask at the worst times…I almost ran off the road while driving once because I was laughing so hard about what my oldest had asked me me of in front of his three younger siblings.

And, why is it that the husband just smirks? Mine does too…

By: Kris

Kris — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:01:01 +0000

Oh — that is too funny! The poor little guy!

My husband was driving our 4th grader and a bunch of his friends home from a night at the Y this year when one of the boys told a joke that sounded harmless enough until he got to the punchline, which turned out to be very sexual in nature. None of the kids got it, not even the one who told it … he just knew it was supposed to be funny. My husband warned the other parents of the kids who were in the van (wouldn’t want the kids asking questions and the parents to wonder what the heck kind of conversations we condone in our household!!!) Then he had as vague of a version of “the talk” as he could get away with with our son. The little guy walked around with a dazed expression on his face for days!

At our school the boys and girls are taken in separate groups for “the talk” in 5th grade, with emphasis on what their particular gender goes through. Then in 7th grade there is another talk, this time enlightening the kids more about what the opposite gender goes through. One of my friend’s sons came home after learning about “that time of the month” and went up to his mother and said, in a really sympathetic voice, “Mom, I am soooo sorry!”

By: janebretl

janebretl — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:59:52 +0000

Sure, Georgianne, now you tell me

(oops I forgot to ask you first)

By: janebretl

janebretl — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:59:03 +0000

Judy, like a whole season of Dallas…

By: karen from mentor

karen from mentor — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:51:58 +0000

Jane,
It’s hours later. I’m still guffawing. It doesn’t take much to delight me as you know, and I look for things to delight IN every day…..THIS BY FAR WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY WEEK.
And I have to tell you that I just got back from walking at my favorite park where I saw a flying squirrel IN THE DAYTIME..fly…AND YOUR STORY STILL TOPS THAT.
oh jane, you are amazing to have shared.
And as far as therapy, naw, all of the other great stuff will smooth out this bump in the road.
Hugs!
Karen

By: Georgianne

Georgianne — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:15:03 +0000

FYI – in 6th grade, they don’t cover “how”, only “what” using anatomical diagrams. (This is from Trent). So you can’t expect them to get much there.

Just have them watch a Sims game (they can come watch Abby). When Trent got “the talk” and was asked if he knew what it was, he said “Yeah, it’s when you go (motions indicating lots of movement) under the covers”. That’s what happens on Sims before they have a baby.
: )

By: judy

judy — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:13:20 +0000

That is hilarious! You are grace under fire! When I told my oldest about “what goes where,” he was only five, and I’d walked headlong into the conversation before I saw it coming. I had so much forward momentum, I really could not think of how to switch directions, or go in reverse. I like your method… the parental equivalent to “It was all a dream.”

By: carla21

carla21 — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:33:55 +0000

*Putting fingers in ears* LaLaLaLaLaLa…

The talk can’t be coming up this soon. It just can’t.

By: janebretl

janebretl — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:14:56 +0000

Karen: It may also come up in the therapist’s office.

Nan: now that is a trip to remember!

By: nan

nan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:08:18 +0000

Or you could pull my trick: check out all of the books regarding puberty, human reproduction, etc from the library, stuff them into the seat pockets in your van, and hit the highway for 16 days! Your approach is so much more….candid, jane. hugs-