WFMW sex education

It is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Last week, I wrote about Child Abuse Prevention.

Later that day,

In the midst of a diaper change, big sister (age almost 4) notices that baby brother and little brother have 'matching bottoms.' Pausing to be thankful that I was paying attention to her every word and my brain wasn't in the land of make believe, I embraced the teachable moment. Last week, you may have caught on that this topic is important to me. Anyhow...

Darkness to Light explains that it is best to teach our children age appropriate language for body parts:

I explained to her that we all have 'matching bottoms'. I told her the anatomically correct names for boy and girl parts. I told her that God made girls and boys different and that our parts are very special and 'just for you.' She identified that Daddy had the same parts as the brothers and that she and I had the same parts. We've previously talked about strangers, so I introduced them to this topic. I asked her if she thought it would be OK to let strangers see her parts or touch them, and she gave a strong NO, and then my heart leaped with joy! She said sometimes she touches there to wash, and I told her that was OK. We talked a little more about this. Then, she came over and gave me the biggest hug she has ever given to me. And I was grateful.

Can I just tell you people out there something? I was so completely dreading ever having to have this talk, but I knew it was REALLY important, so I was really thankful that it happened, but I was scared out of my mind that I would say something wrong or that she would see how extremely uncomfortable it made me. But, it turned out fine. Better than that. I'd say it turned out wonderfully.

I am here to say, you can talk to your kids about this and you must! And it isn't as difficult as I thought it would be. So, look for your teachable moment and prevent child abuse in your family!

To learn more about Child Abuse, visit Darkness to Light.
For more great tips, visit the carnival at We are THAT family.

Thank you and come again!

Adoption story continued

We went to a counselor a few times and the adoption was finalized. We grew up in a new, not quite so podunk town in the midwest. We did normal kid things and had normal sibling rivalry. When I look at what RAD is, I wonder would we have been diagnosed?

My brother lied excessively. I was excessively compliant. I told my brother and sister, 'We call these people Mom and Dad now', only days after moving in. I feared being given away again and if affected everything. I really didn't want to mess up. My sister became a teenage mother and has spent large parts of her daughter's life living away from her. She is now coming around, but what damage has been done in this little girl's life? What about my biological mother, did she suffer from RAD when her mother left her at a tender age and how far back does this all go? Where will it end?

She speaks...

This morning, I was wishing T2 would speak already... He knows so many words, but to able to to tell me what he wants, how he feels, that would be wonderful. I remember when T1 first said, "love you mama." And then I cried. Now she says things like, "Go away Monster!" Sadly, I don't think she has this guy in mind.

I was just...

I have a terrible habit... When my wonderful husband makes a parenting decision that I disagree with or corrects them for something that I would let pass... I interrupt him. I say, 'She(or he or they) was(were) just _______. Now, I have begun to catch myself and eliminate this terrible habit. I think it is disrespectful to him and I need to set the example of respect for my children. I really need to work on this. Today, I realized just how bad it is, when T1 says, "Mama, I was just...."