Last week I found out that my son was going to have “the talk” in school…
He’s in grade 5 and wonderfully naive and happy. His world begins and ends with soccer, comic books, club penguin,, hanging out with his buddies and avoiding the shower.
That may change after Friday (The DAY)…
Smart Dad Panic!
The school he goes to is awesome and I trust the teachers implicitly but my wife and I agreed that we would be the ones to tell all our kids about puberty (pronounced Pub (as in the drinking places)- erty). Today is the day.
I can picture my son’s face now as I attempt to explain to him that babies don’t come as a result of eating too much. I can almost hear the stumbling words… “Um… well… the thing is…erm…. well…. you’ll get hairy and um….er… do you want to go play soccer?” He’ll say “yes” and all will be well. I can keep him young for one more day.
It’s been fine up till now because our eldest children are girls and therefore I conveniently was able to leave those chats to my wife. No avoiding things now… oh no.
I know that I could do a VERY CAREFUL search on the internet for advice on how to talk to your children about sex and I am confident that I would be able to find some excellent resources. But at the end of the day, I want him to hear HIS Dad share not just another ‘expert’. I think that is the Smart Dad ‘way’.
I think a Smart Dad should just share from his heart and be real, honest and sincere. Sharing struggles, tensions and giving realities without embarrassment brings Dads and sons together . I don’t want him to see sex as something wrong and dirty. I want him to treat it for what it is – the greatest gift for married couples (yes, I just said that!).
I think a Smart Dad should be able to look their sons in the eye and let them know that life can be tough, temptation is real and that there is ALWAYS a way out for the guy who lives under the banner of respect and integrity. I don’t think that that is too much to hope and pray for.
So… here is to LOTS of coffee and a great chat with my son tonight…
Cheers
Glen
