Riding in cars with girls

[Dinsdale]

On Sunday I was driving my 13-year old daughter home from her “RE” classes. We attend a UU church, and she is in the OWL (Our Whole Lives) class (previously AYS - About Your Sexuality). I ask her what they discussed, and she says, “Different words for sexual things.” I ask for clarification, and a lively conversation ensues. Among the highlights:

What exactly is masturbation?
um, well…
Is it like playing with yourself?
Yes dear. Masturbation is exactly like playing with yourself.

And we learned a whole bunch of different words for vagina. The c-word, of course. You know, coont(ph).
Uh, that’s pronounced cunt, dear. Did anyone mention bearded clams?

Don’t remember my folks ever having such a conversation with me. It kinda surprised me when it came up. But I am glad my kid feels free to talk with me like things like that. Made me feel I might actually be doing something right! And makes me hopeful that she will continue to feel free to talk with me about other things in the future. Also, I’m not bothered that she is sufficiently naive that she doesn’t know all the ins and outs quite yet.

Makes me kinda nostalgic tho, that she is learning this stuff in such a healthy environment, without having to pick it up in alleys and basements the way I did.

[tevya]

Wow! You must be a really cool dad. I couldn’t have had that discussion with my mother much less with my father. Kudos to you for raising a daughter in a way that makes her that comfortable to share those kinds of things with you!

[Sunglasses]

My SO does not have children and I thought he was going to choke when my teenaged sons and I started talking about breast augmentation and reduction. He had to leave the room when one of my sons said the word nipples.

We are comfortable talking about anything and everything.