I should qualify the title. It ain’t easy being a guy in a house full of women.
Abby, our soon to be 10-year-old, told me after showering that she was scared about her impending womanhood. I think I’m somewhat enlightened and I’m very open to talking to her about it. I asked her if she was really scared or more nervous. She admitted that it was exciting, but it did make her nervous.
Then came the technical questions.
That’s when I got scared. Well, like her maybe not really scared. Just nervous. I don’t want to unduly alarm her and there are certain things that when put on the spot, I didn’t want to get wrong.
So I called Susan.
They spent a few minutes in our room discussing things. When they came out, both were smiling. I felt better, too.
When we went into Abby’s room to read she said that she didn’t want “that thing” to stay in there too long and asked me what would happen if it did. When I finally figured out what she meant, I said if you left it in there too long it could be harmful to her health, but that she would know when to change it.
For some reason, it’s easier to talk about that stuff with your wife than it is with your child. I just can’t show fear.
I’m learning, too.
