Looking back, I think I really started preparing for my daughter to ask me that question when she was itty bitty.
When she was in kindergarten another mom and I were talking about this dreaded conversation and she suggested I read Barrett Johnson’s book, “The Talks.” Of course, the book was in my Amazon cart instantly and thus began my research on this topic. I recently had the opportunity to meet Barrett when he presented at my daughter’s school and I shared with him an exchange I had with Emerson (then age 5) just days after I finished his book. It went like this (names have been omitted to protect the innocent): Me (noticing Em stare off into space at a stoplight): Em, what are you thinking about? Em: BOY Me: What about BOY? Em: How I’m going to marry him! Me (following Barrett’s advice not to shut that kind of conversation down): What about BOY makes you think you should marry him? Em: He’s kind to everyone. He’s funny and he loves God and Jesus as much as I do. Me: Wow. Those sound like great qualities in a husband! Fast forward to the week before her 10th birthday, driving home from a softball game, and that is when I got THE question. “Mom, can you just tell me how babies are made?” I am quite certain I didn't answer with 100% perfection but I was prepared and willing to engage in this parenting right of passage and for that, I am so grateful. So much so, that I want all parents to feel empowered to do the same (or better)! Why? Because after our first installment of "the talk" my girl prayed this prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the bond that my mom and I have, that we trust each other to have conversations like this. Amen.” Friends, there are no better words to hear from your child than bond, trust, and conversation! Click here to learn more about my workshop that educates and empowers parents to engage in conversations about body parts, privacy, puberty, reproduction and - critical to us parents in raising the iGeneration - tech-wise parenting!
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AuthorCollins Foster, LMSW Archives
May 2020
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