Tonight, the boy and I began "the talk." You know, the conversation that a lot of parents dread, yet know they will have to have someday? Yes, THAT talk. I knew it was coming, and yes, I'm pretty sure that I've been fearing it since he learned to talk.
So, tonight it happened, and you know what? It wasn't that bad. In fact, it happened so organically that I don't even think I realized it was happening until it was over! That's always been a fear of mine... how will I ever know how far to take the conversation? What if I screw up? Anyone who knows me knows that I'm fairly neurotic, so it should really come as no surprise that I've been worrying for years about having this subject come up.
I can't even remember what we were talking about, to be honest. Somehow though, the conversation turned to the cats. The boy seemed very concerned about the cats, and whether they were adults or still kittens. Now, I am not sure why he was concerned, but he was. Then he started asking about a cat we used to have, our beloved cat Fuzzby, and he said he thought maybe the cats we have now were still kittens, because they were nowhere near as large as he was. So, I explained that Fuzzby was just a really big cat.
This answer didn't seem to satisfy him, and he wondered why he was so big. I told him that sometimes, when cats get neutered, they get fat. I went on to tell him that you get your boy cats neutered so they don't make any babies. And I'm pretty sure this is where the conversation went off the rails. And how.
Now, anyone who knows us knows the boy shares my flair for the dramatic, and in that fashion, he sits straight up and says, "OH.MY.GOD. BOYS MAKE BABIES TOOO?!?!" I let him digest that for a moment and confirm that yes, it takes a girl AND a boy to make a baby. And he looks at me, and I'm wondering if I should go farther or leave it there for now, but he just says, "Ok, so a boy gets with a girl and they make a baby together. Ok." And that was pretty much it. Conversation started.
I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, and now that it's begun, I think any further discussion will be easier, because we've laid a bit of ground work. I plan to be honest about it, because I think a lot of times, in an effort to protect our kids, we tend to underestimate how smart they really are and how much they can handle. I've learned, to that they'll let you know when they've heard enough.
Ah, the joys of parenthood. Best.Job.Ever.
So... want to know a secret about me? Well, it's not really a secret, people know, but it probably SHOULD be a secret. Okay, here it is: one of my guilty pleasures is soap operas, particularly the Young and the Restless. There, I've said it, and I am not ashamed of it. Well, maybe a little.
I'm not sure when this love of soap operas started, but I remember that when I was in high school, I used to run home every day to watch Days of Our Lives, which very conveniently started at 3:30 where I lived. In Canada, for some reason, they show Days and Y&R a day ahead of the States, so if I miss them, I can always watch the US feed the next day. Gotta love a show that tries to work around YOUR schedule, huh?
Anyway, back to high school. I watched Days of Our Lives, and marvelled at the fairy tales romances of couples such as Roman and Marlena (then later John and Marlena) and Bo and Hope. Those relationships withstood such instense hardships, and they'd be torn apart only to find their way back to each other. You know, now that I think about it, it's no wonder that I have such an unrealistic view of love.
From DOOL, my passion turned to All My Children, and the much married Erika Kane and all her drama, and then, after a while, to The Young And The Restless, which is the only soap I'll cop to still watching to this day.
What I love about soaps is their incredibly realistic story lines that you just can't find anywhere else. Remember when Marlena was possessed by the devil and tried to kill John's girlfriend Kristen by tying her up in a church and drawing evil symbols on her? Who DOESN'T have that happen to them? Why, just last week I found myself... okay, maybe they're not so realistic.
These days, the stories are a little less far-fetched (but only a little), but they still have the power to draw me in every day. It's a form of escapism, and when the world seems out to get me, I can always tune into Y&R and see that these people obviously have it soooooo much worse. ;)
Do you like to watch soap operas? If so, which ones, and why?
Dearest Cats,
First, let me just say, that I love you all dearly. You have been wonderful companions to us. Lately though, I must say, you've been a bunch of jerks.
Trouble: Face it dude, Layla is just not that into you. I know you worship her, but she is a fancy cat, and you are a plain old domestic shorthair. Move on. Stop following her around and antagonizing her. No means no. And stop crying, for Pete's sake!
Layla: I get it, Trouble is a pain. You don't like him. That's fine. But do you really need to hiss at him every time he's even remotely near? He's not always out to get you. Calm down.
Spike: Oh, my quiet and solemn little buddy. I love you so. You are a gentle soul... except when it comes to your brother, and that's what Trouble is. He's your brother, and you love him, so stop using him as a punching bag! It's not nice!
I hope that you guys can take the advice I've given you and put it to good use. You're making me crazy with your stalking, and your anger, and your kitty restraining orders. Something needs to give here, ya know?
Sincerely,
The Hand That Feeds You.
