As Long as I'm Stirring the Pot

Last night after writing my blog post Wes and I sat down to watch the Oprah show about talking to children about sex. Anyone who knows me knows that I am very open and frank with my children about sex. Watching the show got me thinking several things.

1) My objection to the BK ad isn't about sex. I can talk to my kids about sex and sexuality until the cows come home.
2) When the Oprah show says "talking to your kids about sex" what they mean is "mothers talking to daughters about sex." As a mom and a dad with sons watching this show I thought they really missed the boat. It's not about just arming girls with information and confidence to they can defend themselves against the hordes of hormone-crazed boys who will endlessly come sniffing around. We should be sending the same message to boys and girls about intimacy, confidence and responsibility.
3) The most controversial part of the show was the suggestion by Laura Berman that mothers should talk to girls in their teens about masturbation. The audience went nuts. Would anyone have batted an eye if the suggestion was made to discuss masturbation with teenage boys? I don't really think so.

Coincidentally starting on Tuesday my older son will begin sex education at school. I'm really interested to see how it is approached and his reaction to it.

I will have a finished sweater to show you later today. I promise no more kids and sex talk for a while.