TMI
Can someone please tell me why Nickelodeon airs ads for Pamprin in the middle of Jimmy Neutron? There I am, watching cartoons with my stepson when:
“BACKACHE! PAIN! EXHAUSTION! IT’S THAT TIME OF THE MONTH AND YOUR PERIOD IS MAKING LIFE HARD…”
I try to ignore it, even talk over the commercial while searching for the MUTE button. But the terrifying question comes anyway.
“What does that mean?” my stepson asks.
“Uh..huh?”
I mean, c’mon! I’ve already had to answer the “why can’t boys get pregnant?” question and the “why does Squid like to play with his peep?” question. Now I have to explain what a menstrual cycle is to my 9 year-old?!? Forget it!
I’m not the only one who writhes when these questions come up. Jason is even worse! Last night we were watching America’s Funniest Home Videos and someone had sent in a clip of a sign outside a restaurant that read:
THERE IS NO SILICONE IN OUR BREASTS…JUST PURE CHICKEN!
Bob Saget added his comment: “Well, this restaurant obviously isn’t in Los Angeles!”
The audience laughed and then, from the couch, “What does it mean, ’silicone in breasts?’”
I mentally rolled my eyes and prepared my speech. Well, breasts…uh, er…ok, you know what breasts are, right? Well, sometimes people feel the need to change the look of their bodies…
Before I could begin my lame explanation, Jason blurted out, “Uh, I don’t know, I didn’t catch that! Huh? What? Nope, I don’t know. I didn’t see that one.”
More prodding. “It said, ’silicone breasts. just chicken…”
Jason: “I don’t know. I wasn’t paying attention.”
The poor kid finally gave up and, although very quiet, I think I actually heard Jason breathe a sigh of relief.
When it comes to situations like these, I always try to give just enough information to make the questions cease, but not so much that I need to pull out the diagrams of the human body. I minored in Human Sexuality in college, took all the courses on sex and the body, relationships and practices, etc. etc. And for the most part I feel really comfortable talking about sex. Yet, at 9, I still think my stepson is a few years shy of needing the complete THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON DRUGS, THIS IS YOUR PENIS ON SEX lecture.
Am I wrong?
June 18th, 2007 10:11
If you don’t have it now with him then someone else will. I was quite young, younger than your stepson when a friend told me untrue stuff. My mom got to explain to me the whys and hows. I have read that 9 is a great time for that kind of talk as kids are going through puberty younger and younger. You may not have much time before he decides to find out on his own.
June 18th, 2007 12:47
These are the types of commercials I needed as a child so I could have learned all the life lessons my parents neglected to tell me about.
As it is now, I’m often jumping in front of the TV during commercials for things like the Viagra knock-offs (”why is that guy so happy, mom?”) and the “female products”
June 18th, 2007 13:29
Some kids are ready earlier than others. You don’t have to get real graphic, just basic info usually satisfies them. Ugh ….I’m glad that’s all behind me!
June 18th, 2007 19:08
I was WAAAYYY younger than 9 when I knew WAAAYY too much, but I had older siblings & cousins that “enlightened” me. . I agree it depends on the kid, my daughter who will be 9, understands more than my son who just turned 8. With my son, I’ve learned he ’shuts off’ when it gets to be too much info - I get the glassy eyed stare, and realize it’s beyond him, so I stop, but I’ll be damned if someone else teaches my kids about that stuff so I try to fit as much as I feel appropriate in that small space. . not much so far. : }
June 18th, 2007 23:11
I think these days, 9 is about right, much to my dismay–and yours.
June 19th, 2007 13:51
Maybe too young for some things but definitely old enough to know others.
Crazy, how young we have to begin the talk these days , isn’t it ?
June 19th, 2007 15:31
ugh. there has got to be a way to explain these things without making it a huge deal…however, i don’t really know how to do that yet.
sigh.
June 20th, 2007 07:43
Your post made me laugh. My sister has told me some really funny stories about her oldest and some of his questions. Definitely do not let him download music from iTunes - those language warnings are for real! I have an offer that may help because it is commercial free!
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Maya & Miguel, a show on PBS in the afternoons — http://pbskidsgo.org/mayaandmiguel — that emphasizes cultural diversity and language learning but I’m reaching out to talk to parents about the program as part of a marketing project I’m working on with Scholastic.
I found your post and thought I’d reach out to say hello and ask if you’d like to receive a free Maya & Miguel DVD. If you’d like to receive the DVD just email me at Kerri at boldmouth.com with your address and I’ll have it shipped it out to you.
If you do choose to blog about Maya & Miguel show or episodes on the DVD, please make it clear how you received the information. Our goal is to be open and honest with everyone we reach.
Kerri Roberts, BoldMouth
June 20th, 2007 13:42
Sometimes it is hard to answer questions. I think it is wonderful that your step son asks questions of you. Keep up the good work with him. By all means answer him as much as you think is necessary. Keep up the good work.
June 26th, 2007 21:40
You got me!!! I’m clueless about this stuff. As far as I’m concerned, my daughter won’t know anything about sex until she’s 30!
June 28th, 2007 16:08
Just to let you know, one of your previous commenters, Kerri Roberts, is a paid blog-spammer working with a children’s book company. Her company does viral marketing, and she makes innocent one-shot comments on blogs where kids are mentioned, and then pastes in the Maya and Miguel DVD junk and is never seen again.
I’ve already complained to PBSkids about blog spam being used to market their programs, and I think you should too.
http://www.wonderfulpages.com/archives/2007/06/28/pbs-shows-advertised-with-blog-spam/
July 5th, 2007 09:59
i I think it is wonderful that you decided to go out with your husband and you did get a responsible person to stay with your baby. Every mother feels that way with her first child. It helps your baby to get used to being with other people. I loved your pictures of you growing up. You really went through all phases of life. My mother would have really been mad at me if I had dyed my hair or cut it. Your parents must have been very liberal. Keep on writing your articles Old Timer