Puberty

by Marinka on May 9, 2011

Did you discuss puberty in class today?

HOW DID YOU KNOW?

Your teacher sent an email to let the parents know. How did it go?

Embarrassing. I thought you’d be mad.

Why would I be mad?

Because it’s like sex stuff and you don’t like potty talk at the table.

First of all, your father is the one who doesn’t like potty talk at the table. But sex stuff isn’t bad language. It’s normal and healthy.

How is it healthy?

It’s normal and healthy. Everyone goes through puberty. It’s natural.

We talked about that e-word.

Email?

No. You know, when the penis goes up.

Erection?

Yes! G was obsessed with the word and he’s going to ask his dad if it ever happened to him.

I’m glad that he’s going to ask his dad if he has questions. You know if you have a question, you could always ask me or dad.

Does dad know about puberty?

Yes.

Did he have to go through it?

Yes.

Poor dad.

Everyone goes through it. It’s going to be ok. Your voice will change.

My voice changed already and it was deep for a week or so and then it got back to normal.

I don’t remember that.

It happened.

No- oh, when you had a cold?

Yeah.

That’s different.

I know.

What else did you learn about puberty?

We were reading about pubic hair and someone pronounced it Public hair.

That happens a lot. Do you want to tal-

No.

It’s normal to-

I don’t want to talk about it.

Well, you’re know we’re going to have puberty discussion hour every week at home.

WHAT?

I’m kidding.

Don’t do that!

I’m sorry. But I’m glad that you’re learning about puberty.

Ok.

I love you.

Same.

_____________________________
Today at The Mouthy Housewives, I’m asking for advice with a problem that I’m having with a friend. I’d love it if you stopped by and guided me through the dilemma.

One year ago ...

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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }

Peajaye
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 12:27 am

No better Mother’s Day present than that.

Reply

Stasha
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 1:14 am

WeWeekly -puberty edition. Catchy!

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Stephanie Smirnov
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 7:06 am

If only they could stay smooth, hairless and hormone-free all their lives…

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From Belgium May 9, 2011 at 7:11 am

‘I don’t want to talk about it’ seems to be standard answer to any discussions on puberty

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Lynn MacDonald (All Fooked Up)
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 7:45 am

Hahaha…that totally reminds me of the greatest sex ed talk ever that I once had with my daughter regarding sex. Puberty…i still regret going through it.

Of course, we’re done in this household. I think…

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tracy
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 8:00 am

Aw, a moment for his baby book.

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traci May 9, 2011 at 8:17 am

Having a 5th grader and talking about all things related to this avenue is fodder enough for a blog. The only thing that would be missing for the reader is the many entertaining and puzzling faces made by the 5th grader.

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Kati
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 8:33 am

“puberty discussion hour” I like it.

Right now I’m kind of hating that my son is getting to the point of needing “that talk”, and his dad is away again. Plus, he’s homeschooled so I can’t even chicken out and let his teacher do the dirty work. Hey, maybe your son can teach mine, since he’s now a subject matter expert?

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dusty earth mother May 9, 2011 at 9:32 am

I loved this so much. And I always enjoy that first discovery of how close “public hair” is to “pubic hair”. That just never gets old.

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the mama bird diaries
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 9:39 am

I love the E word is Email.

Every time I go to that Publix grocery store in Florida, I always think about pubic hair which is not exactly the best shopping experience.

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Megan May 9, 2011 at 10:20 am

I’ve been going to Publix for most of my life and I still think of pubic hair every time.

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Twinisms May 9, 2011 at 4:27 pm

I grew up in FL, We always, always referred to at as Pubix. Since I’m still as mature as I was back then, whenever I go to one I say Pubix in my head.

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Megan May 9, 2011 at 10:19 am

I’ve had the same conversation with my son more than once. So I bought him the book, “What’s Happening To Me?” just make him that much more uncomfortable.

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annie May 9, 2011 at 11:15 am

Daughter #2 is covering all that this week too. Except she’s home with a fever. I guess she’ll never find out. Right??

I got the I don’t want to talk about it thing too when I brought it up myself.

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Stasha
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 11:16 am

We Weekly chat-puberty edition. Catchy!

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Alexandra
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 11:39 am

You’re so calm.

I;m so crazy.

I say:

You’re the guy! Do NOT get anyone pregnant.

Yeah, that’s what happens when you have 2 boys in their mid teens.

It becomes desperate pleading.

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Loukia May 9, 2011 at 12:34 pm

Can I borrow you for a week when my kids are at that stage? I was completely and utterly mortified when in grade 6, we were taught about sex. I had my hands glued on my face so hard I almost ripped a layer of skin off trying to cover my eyes from the pictures of ovaries I saw for the first time. I wanted to DIE.

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Maggie May 9, 2011 at 1:18 pm

Love it! My son is 15..so we have had the sex ed class about 3x’s already. I walked into his bedroom while he was doing homework last week. He had his health notes spread across the floor. Me: Is that a diagram of a Penis?? Son: yep. Me: Awesome. Let’s make sure yours doesn’t fall into any vaginas..OK? Son: The picture of the penis or my actually penis??….HAAA Gotcha Mom..just kidding. So that’s that.

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Penbleth
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 2:12 pm

You cruel woman. Poor kid.

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Ilana
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 3:35 pm

Is there a way I can prevent my child from ever reaching puberty? It’s several years away so perhaps they will come up with something.

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Rima
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 3:44 pm

Well played.

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Katy
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 4:07 pm

Nicely done, Mama.

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Twinisms May 9, 2011 at 4:29 pm

When my older son discovered it he attempted to get some information on the computer. He Googled Boobs. Just the word, boobs. He was doing a social studies project so the history read; the bill of rights, George Bush, the constitution, boobs, George Bush…

Good Times.

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anna see May 9, 2011 at 4:37 pm

This is great! You did a good job, Mom!

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Lady Jennie May 9, 2011 at 4:43 pm

Siiiigh. This just made me laugh (and tremble in fear for the day).

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elizabeth-flourish in progress
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 4:50 pm

*shudder*
i expect this discussion to happen soon at Cal’s school. The two times our school offered them (once in 5th grade and another time in 8th grade) I was out sick. So, I don’t know from personal experience if there’s any Eww’s or giggles.

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MommyTime
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 8:42 pm

I cannot WAIT to have a weekly puberty discussion hour at our house!

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Miss Britt
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 8:49 pm

My son is dreading this week and The Video that required a permission slip.

I keep telling him he can talk to me and he keeps insisting that I should just go die quietly in the corner.

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Fairly Odd Mother
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 8:57 pm

I still remember a song we heard while watching some movie about VD: “don’t give a dose to the one you love most, give me some marmalade, give me some toast.” This about sums up my sex ed curriculum from school.

And, I’m glad I’m not the only one with the Publix/Public issue. We also have a supermarket up here called Roche Brothers and I think: “ROACH??? who wants to say that when talking about a place to buy food??”

I think I’m ready for this puberty business, just worried about all the new smells my beautiful, not-stinky children are going to develop. I may have to spritz them with scented water whenever they come near me in a few years.

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A Mommy in the City
Twitter:
May 9, 2011 at 9:59 pm

I think you have mastered this talk! Amazing! I am VERY impressed!

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magpie May 10, 2011 at 2:48 pm

I never before thought about the fact that if you have a boy child, you have to talk to them about erections. I wonder if my mother did that with my brother…

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Issa
Twitter:
May 10, 2011 at 3:41 pm

Did dad have to go through puberty? Hahahaha…um maybe he didn’t learn that much?

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Marina at My Busy Children
Twitter:
May 10, 2011 at 11:08 pm

and I thought raising a toddler and a preschooler was hard…

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Sophie@Fabrications May 16, 2011 at 1:58 am

“Same”! /
The kid is hilarious.

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