AWKWARD

Yes, AWKWARD is captialized. It needs to be because this situation was so awkward that I feel like screaming about it. The background information is this: we don't practice a lot of modesty in our house. We are comfortable with nudity. We talk about sex. Our children have seen videos of women giving birth. They know where babies come from. And they know that sex is good and appropriate for people who care about one another and who's intentions are not to hurt eachother. They know that sex is not for children, that it is not for people to use to control one another, or for people to hurt one another. They know in those situations that are uncomfortable, inappropriate and abusive that they need to seek help. We talk about it. We make it healthly. And we know that our children are armed with the right information when they are on the playground, under the bleachers, in their classrooms, at the movies. So I never imagined that I would have an awkward sex moment.

But I did. A few days ago, my "big" kids and I were in a strip mall for some reason or other. A strip mall which sported an ADULT ONLY video, game and toy store. My children were curious beyond belief about what that meant. Toys for adults? Videos for adults only? (which they quickly concluded must be too violent for safe viewing by children) and games for adults only? what kind of games? what kind of toys? and why couldn't children play with the toys too? OH MY GOD!!! The questions they bombarded me with. And I had just come off of a night shift that morning. I was dazed, confused, disoriented and now, just plain embarrassed. So I did what all uncomfortable parents do, I changed the subject with great gusto.

In retrospect I am sad that I let a good learning opportunity go by. That I didn't take it to explain. To offer them the opportunity to decide whether this was a good or bad thing. To let them understand some of the controversary surrounding these types of outfits. But in the moment I was flummoxed. And now it`s gone. Over. And they haven`t brought it up again with me, though I am scared that they might with their friends and then end up with the wrong information. But I am not scared enough yet to let go of that yelling out loud, most awkward feeling that welled up inside of me. Weird. Advice please!