A man walked into a restroom. The wall lined with urinals showcased a father and young son at opposite ends. They were taking a break from the seventh inning. The child, with pants around his knees, asked his father, "Like this?" The dad replied, "No, son, just down to your business."
Hearing about this parenting moment made me smile.
It also reminded me that the words we choose can make a difference.
When my children were young, my husband and I decided we would refer to body parts by their real names. We now use other monikers as well, but wanted our kids to feel comfortable with the anatomically correct terms.
Thinking about this man's choice of words to describe his son's private parts seems like pure brilliance to me. (I now realize it's not unique, but I'd never heard it before.) Not only does it avoid a graphic or silly explanation in a public setting, it's instilling boundaries to that child. What a perfect way to discuss with our kids that Your "business" is YOUR business.
This phrasing has made me acknowledge the little voice in the back of my head. The one that tells me I haven't had these kind of conversations with my children for a long time. So long that they may not remember them. That we're way overdue for some teen and tween level discussions about personal boundaries and comfort levels in various situations.
While my approach to important topics is being truthful and direct, (ask me about the time I explained what a crack whore is, thanks to a bumper sticker), it's hard for me to know how to start these conversations when there isn't an obvious lead-in.
I'd love to know: How do you talk about personal boundaries with your kids?
