* FYI & warning: this post is full of language used to describe various body parts. the words are used accurately.
……………….
i love capturing little conversations i hear at our house…
here’s one that could be heard after bath one evening between bear and dear hubby.
bear: why do i need balls and a penis?
DH: they have two purposes, for peeing and making babies.
bear: making babies? how do they do that?
DH: well, it’s a long and complicated answer, and i will tell you another time.
bear: oh, ok.
the whole thing makes me giggle.
we’re very open and honest with the kids about the human body; what it does, why it does it and so on. unfortunately, dear hubby experienced a serious brain fart for the correct term for balls (which is scrotum just in case you are wondering), and so things were left at that. typically we try to be accurate, so as to avoid embarrassment later on. i would be mortified if my kids called their penises “wee wee’s”! I will admit though, this is the basic anatomy I draw the line at as I feel for the rest of it, I would need to research and probably prepare more than the regular anatomy chats. Thank goodness I have boys is all I can say! Much more simple to explain!
the words for private parts don’t just roll off our tongues, but even still i think it’s important to be accurate. and, in case your wondering about what a vagina versus a vulva is, read this. most of us are incorrect with our language for the female genitalia, without even knowing it!
we thought that by being clear and concise with our language now, we will avoid further confusion or embarrassment when the really tricky conversations about sex, sexuality and love arise. me and the hubby have both stated that we won’t go over overtly sexually topics such as Dildos or the various sexual dynamics one can find within a relationship, the basics is hard enough and they’re not needing to learn about any of that at all! also… saying, vulva or scrotum without blushing in front of your teenager has got to be a tricky thing! although, maybe it’s ok to blush in front of your kids when talking about this stuff, because maybe it humanizes it… i dunno, not there yet with my kids! what do you think?
what kind of language do you use to describe the anatomy with your family?
I will have to admit – I’m not a big fan of this. We had friends who were being very specific with their children who could barely talk. Their 18 month old taught my 2 1/2 year old the word Penis – and then my super gabby son was using that word out in public all the time. We would be in line at the grocery store, and he’d turn to the checkout girl and ask her if she needed a penis. Excuse me? I was mortified! My friends were talking about how they wanted to be clear and open, and I remember thinking what the heck is wrong with Winky or Your Privates?
But – every family is different. My kids will use language openly to everyone, and so this sort of thing doesn’t really work for us. You go for it!
Sorry – I didn’t mean to sound mean about it. It’s still really early in the morning. 🙂
hey, no worries, not mean at all. thanks for sharing, in fact!
one thing we do emphasize that there is a time and a place for certain discussions! my kids would never ask the cashier if she needed a penis, so i guess, that’s a relief! although, bear did tell his dad that they should buy me a penis, since i didn’t have one! haha!
and yes, each family does what works for them, and this is what works for us! i appreciate your honesty, thanks.
Hey mama, you know I’m right there with you on this! I guess the discussion of private parts needs to go along with a discussion of whom you can talk to about them (i.e. people you already know and trust, not random strangers), to avoid those embarrassing moments. E has never asked exactly how babies are started, but if he does any time soon I might borrow your Dear Hubby’s line :). Not ready for a sex talk yet! And not particularly looking forward to it… but I agree with you, it has to be easier if you already have the terminology in hand, right? (I hope?)
these chats are tricky no matter what! thanks for stopping by dilovely!