Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Warning: Anatomically Incorrect

So I know that the "experts" say you are supposed to teach anatomically correct terms so your children aren't ashamed of their bodies or whatever.....But I just can't do it! 

"OK girls, finish washing up those vaginas before you get out of the tub so we can go meet Daddy at the rose garden for a picnic." B.L.E.C.K.

So unintentionally, everything is now referred to as "booty." Daddy has a booty. We all shake our booties. Girls have a "front booty" and a "back booty." 

I recently found a reason to throw the word "penis" into a conversation with the girls. They were wondering how to tell if our new pet frog was a boy or girl. FYI...."According to my research" (Magic School Bus) only the males croak. But I decided it was time to reinforce the anatomically correct word that we don't have much use for in our estrogen filled home. So I asked them if they knew how to tell the difference between a male and female mammal. Ella responded with "girls have long eyelashes," and Josie thought that females all had long hair. I'm quite sure Addie knew the response I was looking for, but maybe refrained from answering for fear of saying a "bad" word (since we never use it). So needless to say I had to discuss the male anatomy.....using a term OTHER than "booty." I think that maybe an annual review will suffice, but what do you think? Am I doing serious damage to my sweet little girlies by not using anatomically correct terms? What do you all call "stuff"?

P.S. I started this post last week and interestingly enough, my girls were exposed to the anatomy of two proud little boys several times over this past weekend. 

"Ooooh ooooh! I know the answer to this one!" the girl waved her hand eagerly in the air.

10 comments:

Sabrina said...

My mom always called the Vagina, the "Po-Po"

I can never not get a smirk when someone sees a cop and says, Watch out for the Po-Po!!!!!

P.S. When do adults ever use atomically correct names for the private parts? I rarely do.
You're doing just fine Julie! :)

Sabrina said...

and i just realized i spelled Anatomically very incorrectly. ooops.

Nikki said...

Isaiah says Olivia has two butts! They both know what a penis is...and call it that. I've been trying to say we don't want to show people are private parts.

The Three 22nds said...

We have always just called our boys stuff their penises. Somehow that is easier then girl "stuff". I don't know what i would do if i had girls...I think growing up my mom just generically called everything our bottom and just differentiated if absolutely necessary...

At the hospital we use the delicate terminology "void" to refer to peeing. Drug overdose patients don't get it... Mr. blank, you need to void in this. "What?" "void". "what?" "Pee in this!" sometimes "pee" doesn't even work. Sometimes you have to think of the most crass words your mama would never let you say to get them to understand what you are talking about...

Heather of the EO said...

this whole thing is hilarious. i love the comments too.
po-po!!! love it.
I think it happens accidentally. the word penis doesn't flow as easily for me as peeper. So my boys have peepers and one day I'll say, "Yeah, penis...same thing," like it's no big deal...I guess.

Anonymous said...

Interesting...you're getting alot of comments on this one.
Actually, your girls aren't washing their vaginas while in the tub, unless they are douching. And I don't think labia is needed except for more specific instruction or discussion. We just used the general term "bottom" since it is the bottom of them when they are sitting in the tub. Now, if I had boys, I would have gotten more specific since they have an outward body part that really does need an actual name! But then you have to be prepared when you are talking about cucumbers.

The Three 22nds said...

At our home, we do use the word penis, but also, when needing to refer collectively to penis, testicles and scrotum, I often use teh term "equipment."

D: "Dad, why do I have to wear underware?"

N: "Because it will keep you pants cleaner, and it helps support and protect your equipment!"

[editorial note: even if we keep skid marks out of the pants with underware, the outsides of the pants are rarely clean enough for another go 'round the next day]

-N

joolee said...

So I guess Anonymous made a good point. And really, my girls' Po-Pos have no functional purpose at this age.....so "booty" is just my new and improved updated version of "bottom." I must say it kind of wierds me out to have an anonymous comment. Though your "cucumber" clue may point me in the right direction.....

Anonymous said...

I did wait a day or two to comment because I wasn't sure I should...and so I went with the anonymous clue so you wouldn't be too shocked.
I'd love to meet your sweet girls sometime.

joolee said...

Aaah, Grandma Pam! Thanks for revealing yourself:) I would love any advice you have to give as a mom to 3 grown girlies. I would totally read a blog full of your insight! (hint hint)