The Facts of Life

...Or "The Birds and the Bees"...whatever you call it, it can be a daunting task to teach your first born about. And that opportunity came for me late last night after the younger ones had fallen asleep. I knew it was something that had to be done soon, seeing that she started 5th Grade and I didn't want her to hear it from just any kid at school. Yet, I didn't plan for it to happen last night. Nothing really even spurred the conversation...it just happened very naturally, just like two girlfriends talking. What once seemed so daunting before, turned out to be a very positive, cherished moment between a mom and her daughter, and I couldn't have asked for it to go any better. Brooklyn took it like a champ, without getting too freaked out. (I, of course, gave her the tame "5th grade" version of the "FACTS"; however, she handled it with class and maturity.) She participated in the conversation by listening, asking questions, and giving feedback on other thoughts she had. It is challenging to portray the blessing that "it" is and the purpose behind "it" with a nine year old, and you wonder if you're even getting your point across enough to help her understand. Yet, you also need to talk about the cautions behind "it" if experienced in the wrong circumstances. We talked about why we shouldn't watch bad movies and t.v. shows, why we need to be careful on the internet, and the importance of dressing modestly (all of which she'd heard taught before, but this time with a little more understanding of the moral reason behind it), and what situations to stay away from and get out of if ever presented. Luckily, the thought of kissing a boy herself is still so foreign and "gross" to her, it was easy for her to accept the council to stay away from boys (ha, ha).

***However, now that I think about it...she did meet a nice young boy at my brother's wedding who was quite the lady's man. He literally swept her off her feet during the dancing portion of the reception as they did the polka several times around the dance floor. (He also did this with Makenna.) So, by the end of the night, he had two ladies, one on each side, posing for pictures, including dipping each of them for a kiss on the cheek. I believe they even got a photo of him being kissed on both cheeks by Brooklyn and Makenna simultaneously. YIKES! What's happening to my little girls?!!? (I need to find out who took those photos of the smooches but I do have pic of the dancing duos.)***

Brooklyn and "The Boy"

Makenna and "The Boy"

Anyway, back to "The Facts"...Overall, we covered a lot of stuff in our little "girlie talk" last night and I walked away from her bedside feeling very positive about our experience. I am so glad that I have such an open relationship with her, so that as she grows older and her curiosity and concerns grow, she can come to me with anything. What more could a Mama Bear wish for?