I've seen 'Wordless Wednesday' blog posts and originally thought I might contribute to such fun with photos of Jersey #1 trying to master the skill of taking her own picture with my camera...
I find her attempts to be highly entertaining....
She is growing up....and way too fast, I might add...
But, instead of 'Wordless Wednesday,' she has sent me into 'Speechless Wednesday,' because she started asking questions about growing up.
I had been wondering what are the correct ages to start explaining some of those tough topics. We have already had a few basic talks about boys, girls, and appropriate interactions--based on God's design for relationships, not the Disney channel's design for relationships. But, those were very basic topics. There is a whole realm of growing-up subjects not yet mentioned.
I would think that by now I would already realize that, it is easier to face developmental milestones at the child's individual level. So, instead of wondering what is the proper age for talking about these things, I suppose I will be talking as much as I can when she is inquiring. Which appears to be starting now. Yikes!
I had been wondering what are the correct ages to start explaining some of those tough topics. We have already had a few basic talks about boys, girls, and appropriate interactions--based on God's design for relationships, not the Disney channel's design for relationships. But, those were very basic topics. There is a whole realm of growing-up subjects not yet mentioned.
I would think that by now I would already realize that, it is easier to face developmental milestones at the child's individual level. So, instead of wondering what is the proper age for talking about these things, I suppose I will be talking as much as I can when she is inquiring. Which appears to be starting now. Yikes!
The question that started it all was, "Mom, when will my sweat stink for me to use that stick stuff [deoderant]?" That began a surprisingly good conversation about adolescence, and some of the changes that boys and girls go through during that major growth time in life. It went well. I am both pleased and relieved.
We talked about growing, sleeping, hormones, moods, and such things typical of the teen years, as the transition when a child's body grows into an adult's body. I was able to point out a few examples of some teens from our church and tae kwon do class, giving a visual as to how they no longer have the child's body like her and her siblings, but how they also do not yet have their fully adult body like their parents. That was surprisingly easy to discuss. And, it made sense to her, which is good. I think that conversation just opened the doors wide for future conversations on growing up topics. It was not near as hard as I was expecting. But, I also realize now that it is not just one conversation, such as "the talk" is depicted on television. Hopefully we will continue to have an open dialog as she grows.
I plan to give her more and more information as she inquires and as she seems capable of handling it. I gave a very passing mention of menstruation, as one of the changes that takes place during adolescence for girls. I still can't believe that we are already talking about such things.
On one hand I am speechless....jaw dropped open, wondering how did we get to this point already? On the other hand, I am smiling...realizing she is coming to ME for information when she has questions. That is just how I prefer it. I want to be the biggest influence as she develops both physically and in her values. I am trying to weave-in the reality that God's ways are higher than the world's ways, and we need to be mindful of worldly influence. I am hoping and praying that I will have the right words at the right time. I am not actually ready for this part of motherhood.
Ready, or not, here I go...
We talked about growing, sleeping, hormones, moods, and such things typical of the teen years, as the transition when a child's body grows into an adult's body. I was able to point out a few examples of some teens from our church and tae kwon do class, giving a visual as to how they no longer have the child's body like her and her siblings, but how they also do not yet have their fully adult body like their parents. That was surprisingly easy to discuss. And, it made sense to her, which is good. I think that conversation just opened the doors wide for future conversations on growing up topics. It was not near as hard as I was expecting. But, I also realize now that it is not just one conversation, such as "the talk" is depicted on television. Hopefully we will continue to have an open dialog as she grows.
I plan to give her more and more information as she inquires and as she seems capable of handling it. I gave a very passing mention of menstruation, as one of the changes that takes place during adolescence for girls. I still can't believe that we are already talking about such things.
On one hand I am speechless....jaw dropped open, wondering how did we get to this point already? On the other hand, I am smiling...realizing she is coming to ME for information when she has questions. That is just how I prefer it. I want to be the biggest influence as she develops both physically and in her values. I am trying to weave-in the reality that God's ways are higher than the world's ways, and we need to be mindful of worldly influence. I am hoping and praying that I will have the right words at the right time. I am not actually ready for this part of motherhood.
Ready, or not, here I go...
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