Thursday, June 5, 2008

An Awkward Moment

The following conversational tidbits took place this afternoon after picking up my two boys from school.
After getting into van:
Little b: Mom, the Phillies won 5 - nothing.

Mom: Great! I forgot that they were on early. How did you know that they won?

Little b: We watched them in class today. But first we had to watch a video.

Mom: A video? That's always fun. What was it about?

Little b: Remember that book we got in the mail the other day?

Mom: The one that came to you...about puberty?

Little b: Yeah, that one. Everyone got the book.
Mom: How do you know that everyone got it?

Little b: Because R C got it.

Mom: Okay. Well, do you have any questions about what you saw today or read?

Little b: No

Mom: You know that if you ever have any questions about anything, always remember that you can ask daddy and me. We will always be here for you.

Little b: yeah.

Several minute later we were in the kitchen and I was preparing some simple snacks for the kids.

Little b: ( as mom was chewing on a pretzel) Mom, What is a wet dream?

Mom: (coughing and trying to maintain composure) Hmmm, a wet dream? Well, well, let me see. Umm, where did you hear that expression?

Little b: the video today.

Mom: good, good, that's good.

Little b: well, what is it?

Mom: Umm, maybe we should have this discussion when daddy comes home. Is that okay?

Little b: fine.

Did I mess up or what?
I could not help the sex-crazed teenager thoughts flooding my being at that very moment. My body went numb....then limp as if beaten up. Yes, those dreaded teen years are rapidly approaching with all of its daily struggles, challenges and glories.
God help me. What happened to the little boy who idolized Tinky Winky and sang "Do the Bloopy Shuffle?"
note to self........read up on puberty, the changes and the proper ways to explain its terminology without looking like a fool to your kids.
second note to self.....make sure wine is chilled in fridge for those after-puberty conversations to help mom relax.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, the book! We got that a couple of weeks ago. I was sweating having "the talk" but knew we must do it before he watched the movie in school. We decided that since he's a boy, my husband would have the talk because he has first hand information. I'll have to handle it with the girls!

He handled it very well and went into the movie with knowledge. He's so funny though. After the talk I said to him that he could ask me anything and I would do my best to answer. He said "Oh, mom this is men's stuff. You probably don't even know what testicles are!" I laughed for days over that.

It's an uncomfortable discussion to have. As long as you and your husband are honest with him, I don't' think there's a 'wrong' way to do it.