Starts with a “P,” rhymes with Venus
June 19, 2009 by Shannon
I hadn’t really made up my mind on how I wanted to handle the issue of referencing “private parts” with my son. Turns out, my husband made the decision for me.
Apparently, the question came up a few months back. Kellan asked his daddy about the word for boy parts, and Michael cut right to the chase. When I found out about this discussion, I thought well, I guess I don’t have to worry about how I would approach the question. The cat was out of the bag, so to speak.
Now, I’ve come to wish that Michael went with a “that’s your pee pee” sort of explanation. There’s just something weird about hearing a two-year-old use the “P” word. And it gets downright disconcerting when a toddler uses it over and over and over.
This week, Kellan insisted on “helping” me fold laundry. He reached into the basket, pulled out a pair of Michael’s underwear, and informed me that the hole was for daddy’s penis.
All I could really muster was, “Uhh, yeah.”
Yesterday, a children’s song about the planets came on TV. The chorus listed all of them, and guess what happened when the singer got to Venus? Kellan parroted the song right back to the TV, substituting “Venus” with “penis.” Then he abandoned all pretense of singing, and spent several minutes saying, “Penis, penis, penis, penis.”
Now I’m no parenting expert, but I know it’s probably wise not to give a toddler attention when they’re saying something you don’t want them to say. That would send the offending word into heavy rotation. So I did what any responsible parent would do. I contained my giggles and slight embarrassment, got online…and told everyone I know.
Of course, he could have said a lot worse. And I’m betting he will in time. But I’m pretty sure we’ll be in good company at the Parents of the Year awards.
Comments (4)
Ah, innocence. Nothing to do but enjoy it while it lasts.
I was in 2nd grade, walking home from school when a buddy and I decided to be obnoxious toward a 5th grade bully across the street. (We knew he was a self-respecting bully and wouldn’t pick on two little kids such as us.)
His last name was Foley, and without knowing the name of alliteration, we knew of its attraction, and applied that nice Anglo-Saxon expletive in its -er form to make a very annoying sing-song chant at him.
Word came back to Mom, so to speak, and I was called to task. Did I know what That Word meant? Actually, no. Ok then, well don’t use it again, understand?
That instruction worked for a while, but I have to admit, I’ve slipped on occasion in my later years.
Don’t worry - having a toddler say penis is not as bad as saying f*cking b*tch! I almost died when I heard this. It happened because once I said it not thinking my son would hear, because I was mad at something and he said it. And I almost died. OMG, the worst thing ever.
I say ‘pee-pee’ to my boys. Just FYI!
Hee…heee….your friend with no children is giggling again. Is that wrong?
One day while changing Victor’s diaper, Pele ran in, pointed at him dramatically and exclaimed “WHAT THE PENIS IS THAT!” before running away in a fit of giggles. I’m still waiting for the day when she informs the stranger standing behind us in the grocery line that her brother has a penis, but so far I’ve been spared. All things considered, it could be a lot worse.