And Not The Dukes of Hazzard Guy

Asker told me last night that when he turns 6 (on Friday), he's going to start showering alone. I asked him if that meant I couldn't walk around naked in front of him any longer. He paused for a minute and said, "No, you're fine, but I'll let you know."

Most of my friends and family are slightly appalled by my anatomically correct vocabulary and openness with my children. For me, it just comes naturally. But to others, like Chicky and my sister's friend, it takes a bit more thought....

My sister's friend, Maureen and her husband Doug have an 8 year old boy named Dillon. Like a lot of parents, they taught Dillon everything he needs to know about his own body. But, having no daughters, they kind of avoided the whole girl-child body parts. Understandable. I mean, why bring it up until it's relevant, right?

Well, a while back, they took in an infant girl through foster care. The first time Maureen changed the baby's diaper in front of Dillon, the questions started.

"Mom, where's her wiener?"

"Um, she doesn't have one Dillon."

"Well, when's she going to grow one?"

"Girls don't have wieners."

"What do they have?"

Not having considered the wiener-equivalent nickname (burger? mac-n-cheese?), she walked out of the room to call Doug.

"Doug, Dillon wants to know what the baby's parts are called."

"Just tell him she has a cooter."

"NO, I can not tell him that."

"Then tell him it's a vagina."

"Aaahh. I can't tell an 8 year old THAT."

"Well, you've got to tell him something."

"Well, you think of something and tell him when you get home."

She walked back into the room and told Dillon that his father would explain it all to him when he got home. Later that day, Doug walked through the door ready to have a mature man-to-man talk with his son.

"Dad, Dad! Did you know girls have cooters?"