Growing up as an Army brat can’t be the easiest thing. For instance, my sons are extremely baffled when people ask them where they are from. Taylor wants to say Pennsylvania since he was born there. Gavin is under the assumption he is a southern boy since he was born in Georgia, and we have spent the most time living there. I find that pretty funny considering he’s half-Canadian, and that’s about as “Yankee” as you can get!
But Army brats do have a worldly element about them…making them a little more mature than other kids their age. I have wondered since they were babies, how would I ever discuss all the grown-up topics with them? Well…if I’ve learned anything, it’s that these situations present themselves.
Last week, the boys were getting ready for school. Keep in mind, it’s 6am and my mind doesn’t function until I am awake a few hours. I can’t even EAT for at least 2 hours after actually getting out of bed…unless I am served IN bed.
Anyway...
So Gavin was discussing a good friend of his at school, and he says, “Yeah, me and so-and-so are butt-buddies.”
At this point, I am sure I cocked my head to the side in confusion, looking one part “dog” and one part Andy when is pretending he didn’t hear what I said the first time in order to make me repeat it. (This is an on-going game when you live with 4 men.) “What did you just say?” I asked him, sure I heard it wrong. “We are butt-buddies…you know, when you are best friends with someone,” he said innocently.
“Gavin…that is busom buddies!” At this point, I was almost biting through the inside of my cheek. “You probably don’t want to go around school telling people you are butt-buddies with someone because it will make people think you are gay, and you aren’t.”
“Why would that make people think I’m gay?” he asked, weaving an even stickier web. By this point, Taylor is fully interested in the topic too. “Because,” I said, flustered. “That’s how gay men have sex.” (Um, not that there’s anything wrong with that?!)
The looks of horror put me over the edge, and I couldn’t hold back my laughter anymore.
I realize that you may be shocked that I would tell my children the truth on that one, but we have open discussions about things in my house and my kids are not afraid to ask me about any topic. And I don’t know if I would have described it quite the same, had I not been kung-fu kicked with the topic before the sun was even up. And I just want to clarify that I am trying to teach my kids that people are different, and gay doesn't equal wrong. But I don't want to them to get their butt kicked because they didn't know what they were talking about. What else are you supposed to say to something like that?
What funny questions have your children asked you, and how did you respond?
But Army brats do have a worldly element about them…making them a little more mature than other kids their age. I have wondered since they were babies, how would I ever discuss all the grown-up topics with them? Well…if I’ve learned anything, it’s that these situations present themselves.
Last week, the boys were getting ready for school. Keep in mind, it’s 6am and my mind doesn’t function until I am awake a few hours. I can’t even EAT for at least 2 hours after actually getting out of bed…unless I am served IN bed.
Anyway...
So Gavin was discussing a good friend of his at school, and he says, “Yeah, me and so-and-so are butt-buddies.”
At this point, I am sure I cocked my head to the side in confusion, looking one part “dog” and one part Andy when is pretending he didn’t hear what I said the first time in order to make me repeat it. (This is an on-going game when you live with 4 men.) “What did you just say?” I asked him, sure I heard it wrong. “We are butt-buddies…you know, when you are best friends with someone,” he said innocently.
“Gavin…that is busom buddies!” At this point, I was almost biting through the inside of my cheek. “You probably don’t want to go around school telling people you are butt-buddies with someone because it will make people think you are gay, and you aren’t.”
“Why would that make people think I’m gay?” he asked, weaving an even stickier web. By this point, Taylor is fully interested in the topic too. “Because,” I said, flustered. “That’s how gay men have sex.” (Um, not that there’s anything wrong with that?!)
The looks of horror put me over the edge, and I couldn’t hold back my laughter anymore.
I realize that you may be shocked that I would tell my children the truth on that one, but we have open discussions about things in my house and my kids are not afraid to ask me about any topic. And I don’t know if I would have described it quite the same, had I not been kung-fu kicked with the topic before the sun was even up. And I just want to clarify that I am trying to teach my kids that people are different, and gay doesn't equal wrong. But I don't want to them to get their butt kicked because they didn't know what they were talking about. What else are you supposed to say to something like that?
What funny questions have your children asked you, and how did you respond?
You are wonderful. And hilarious. And I love the conversation you had with your kids. I was laughing, thinking it could've been happening in my house. Its for this very reason that I am generally afraid to talk to other peoples children, because the parents might get kinda miffed about that sort of thing...
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle! Thanks for your comment. Yeah, my kids are something else. You guys haven't even heard the half of it yet! LOL. People parent very differently...My parents were really open with me, and so I wasn't afraid to go to them when I had decisions to make. Of course, i try to keep it age appropriate, but...well, they grow up too quickly! Keep coming by!!
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on telling them what's what. I think more parents should be open and honest. My advice is always ... answer their questions, but don't give them more information than they asked for. Thanks for the smile. I was highly entertained by this post.
ReplyDeleteyou rock my funny bone when i need it most. bless you and your lovable two.
ReplyDelete