Anatomically correct

Whenever I started potty training my girls I had a choice. I could teach them the anatomically correct terms for boys and girl "parts", or I could use other terms like "tee tee" or "wee wee." Well, the "tee tees" and the "wee wees" always seemed a little silly to me, so I chose just to call them what they are. I also didn't want them to think these words were bad words. Not a mystery. It's a body part.

So that's what my girls do. If they have to refer to their anatomy for some reason they just say it. To me this is normal. No big deal. Maybe it has to do with being in the health care industry. I'm desensitized. Whatever it is, this is the direction I chose to go with my girls. It has worked for us.

Then came Kyle. Sweet Kyle. Funny Kyle. Big bear hug Kyle.

Poor guy. He is surrounded by girls. We even have a female dog.

He is a great sport about it all too. He is fun, loving and holds his boundaries (all things girls need).

There have been times when the girls and I have been having a conversation about their unnamed body parts. Many of these times I have seen Kyle turning the corner to come and tell me something or hang out with us, and upon hearing the girls say the word, turning right back around and going the other way. Usually I just chuckle at this because I think it's cute that it makes him a little bit uncomfortable.

He came into a family of girls. I don't think he was quite aware of what that entailed.

I think He's quickly coming to understand.

The other day he and the girls were wrestling (favorite activity -usually involving lots of tickling and the dog barking) in the living room while I was making dinner in the kitchen. The girls had Kyle pinned on the couch. They were climbing on him attempting to kiss and tickle him. All of the sudden Lola stopped and said, "Dad, I'm so sorry. I landed on your 'insert anatomically correct term here'."

He'd had enough.

Kyle sat strait up, looked at me and said, "Annie, will you please tell her not to call it that?"

I couldn't help but laugh.

He did not think it was funny. He was dead serious.

It's called "privates," he said.

"OK, " I giggled.

This is just one of the many adjustments we've all had to make in the last 10 months since Kyle and I were married. And we're glad to do it.