Monday, February 11, 2008

Where do babies come from?

Lucy Diamond made me laugh last week with a story of her daughter’s bedtime delaying tactics. You know this question is coming; it’s inevitable but you’re not quite sure when or how it’s going to come and so you’re never quite prepared when it does.

I thought it was rather clever to ask this at bedtime because being responsible Mummies, we do want to get the answer correct. And Mummy (if she’s anything like me) is weak at bedtime and longing for wine. So Lucy fudged it.

This reminded me of my own spectacular fudging of the issue while dealing with the same situation when Son was three (he was somewhat precocious). Son’s question related to 101 Dalmations’ Pongo and Perdita.

Son: Where did Perdita’s puppies come from?
Me: From her tummy.
Son: How did they get there?
Me: Pongo put them there.
Son: *Confused* How?

Well, anyway, she says, fudging the issue again, I’m too embarrassed to continue with that story, because apparently you shouldn’t mention willies for some years yet, but no-one had told me that. Flash forward ten years to last Saturday when I took son shopping, and we were approached by this group of lovely Thais just outside MBK shopping mall:

If you filled out a piece of paper saying what you thought of sex education, they gave you a free gift. This is a good thing, I thought, Son is nearly fourteen, here’s a good introduction to talking about IT. I filled out a little heart shaped piece of paper and received my gift: hmmm, lots of stickers saying things about safe sex etc. This is a good thing, I reminded myself. Oooh, look in the gift bag, a heart shaped jelly sweet, and what’s that? Oh, a lolly pop and what’s … oh … that? Oh. It’s … a condom. Oh. This. Is. A. Good. Thing. We have to have these conversations.

And so what followed was a conversation in which Son told me stuff about ‘kids at school’ and asked questions and stuff, and really I found it’s much easier at this age. A bit more grown up and honest, and not a real cock up (sorry) if I mention willies.

11 comments:

Yvonne said...

LOL at those t-shirts!

Jenny Beattie said...

They're hilarious aren't they? Husband wasn't alarmed about the free gift, just the fact that the Thais all look 11 or 12!
JJx

Jon M said...

No stork? what about the gooseberry bush then? Hmmm I think I'm missing something here...holding hands in a special way?

Fiona Mackenzie. Writer said...

Aren't they sweet?

It is a good thing isn't it? Just a little unnerving though and I don't know if I'd manage it all with your panache. Well done:)

Unknown said...

It's so interesting to see candid shots of other parts of the world.

Kids can be so funny. I still have a 13 and 17 year old at home.

Carol said...

I'm disappointed that you didn't get a free t-shirt to go with your condom!!

I take it son reacted in his usual laid back style!!

C x

Jenny Beattie said...

Jon, up to this point, after my faux pas with willies, storks have featured largely in their sex ed.

Oh dear god, Fiona, do I look like I'm doing it with panache? Thank you, but I'm wittering, and Son is thinking 'Why doesn't she shut up?'

Ashley, hello, welcome. Yes, I love recording those 'every day' things. I carry a camera everywhere because if you don't, you regret it. And the every day things here are often very different to the every day sights at home.

Carol, He did. He was much more interested in the jelly sweet and the lollypop than the condom! Bless.

JJx

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

This is reason no. 4729 why I'm glad I'm not a parent. Love reading other people's stories about it, though, so thanks for that.

Lane Mathias said...

Cripes they do look like children in that photo!

Lucy Diamond said...

Oh JJ, this did make me laugh! Well done for getting through that difficult moment - phew! I will come back to you for help next time I get asked anything awkward!

Leigh Forbes said...

Who says women can't rise to the occasion, ahem.